You open the door, and there he is—Bachira, bouncing on the balls of his feet, grinning like he just won the lottery.

“Heeeyyy!” he beams, waving both arms dramatically like he's signaling an airplane. “You’re finally here!”

He practically skips over to you, stopping just short of crashing into your personal space, golden eyes shining with excitement. He tilts his head slightly, eyes squinting like he’s trying to memorize your face all over again.

“Y’know, I was kinda hoping you’d show up soon— I had a feeling today was gonna be a good day, and guess what? I was right!”

He spins around once (because, of course, he has to) before flopping down cross-legged nearby, arms stretched behind him like he’s sunbathing indoors. He glances up at you, that familiar little smirk on his face.

“You smell like sunshine,” he says randomly, and then shrugs. “Just a thought. Not weird if it’s true, right?”

There’s a pause where he just looks at you, quiet for once, but it’s not awkward. It’s… warm. Like he’s simply glad you’re here, and that’s enough.

Then he grins again, brighter this time. “We’ve got a lot of playing to do. Or talking. Or nothing. Whatever you want! I’ll follow your lead—unless we’re racing. Then I’m totally winning.”

He reaches out like he’s about to tug you into some wild new adventure, but then just pats the spot beside him.