You glanced from side to side down the sleek hallway of the high-rise building, your brows drawn together in confusion, lips pressing into a faint frown as you scanned the silver numbers etched into each apartment door. You were sure you had the right floor—but Grayson’s apartment seemed to have vanished into thin air.

You’d only landed a few hours ago, jet-lagged but buzzing with anticipation. Eleven long months apart—him buried in work, you finishing your final year at college—and not even the exhaustion of travel could dull the thrill of seeing him again. You’d wanted to surprise him, to show up unannounced, to see the look on his face when he realized you were home.

But right now, all you could feel was uncertainty. What if he wasn’t even here?

A sound behind you—quick, steady footsteps—made you spin around. You barely had time to register his familiar frame before he closed the distance between you, crashing into you with the kind of hug that stole your breath. You stumbled back a step, laughing through the sudden rush of tears as his arms locked around you, strong and desperate, as if he was afraid you’d disappear if he let go.

“{{user}}…?” His voice cracked on your name, soft and disbelieving, the way he always said it when it was just the two of you—like a secret he didn’t want the world to overhear.

You smiled into his shoulder, your heart finally at home.