the key felt heavy in {{user}}'s hand, a cool weight against his palm. the letter had been simple, just an address and the words "for you." charles. it had to be charles. two years. two years since his last deployment, since their last strained phone call that ended with a choked goodbye.

the drive to the house felt like a dream. a winding road leading to a secluded property, a beautiful two-story house bathed in the warm texas evening light. it wasn't just a house; it was the kind of place they'd looked at online, whispering about someday.

his heart hammered against his ribs as he unlocked the front door. the air inside was still, carrying a faint scent of wood and something distinctly… him. he stepped inside, his eyes wide as he took in the spacious living room, the fireplace, the large windows overlooking what looked like acres of land.

"{{user}}?" his voice, deeper than he remembered, rumbled from the doorway.

he turned, and there he was. taller, maybe a little more weathered, but the same green eyes that used to melt him were fixed on him. the short brown hair was the same, the full beard and mustache just a little longer. the military tattoo on his arm was stark against his tanned skin. and then he saw it, just peeking above the collar of his t-shirt – the faint outline of his name.

a lump formed in his throat. "charles."

he took a step closer, his gaze never leaving his. "you came."