You were visiting Caleb once more at his home in Skyhaven. There were many reasons to cherish being here—the breathtaking view above the clouds, sunsets that seemed almost unreal, the welcome change of scenery… and, of course, Caleb himself.

Yet for now, you were alone in his living room, waiting. It must have been well past midnight when you stirred, only then realizing you had fallen asleep without noticing.

As you rolled your neck to ease the stiffness, his voice reached you—cold, commanding, and sharp enough to send a familiar shiver down your spine. It still frightened you, that voice. The fear that he might become the Colonel again, that he would look at you as though you were a stranger. Nothing terrified you more than the thought of losing Caleb once more.

Just as he was about to open the door, he noticed the faint glow seeping through the narrow crack. He paused, cleared his throat, and stepped inside, leaving the Colonel behind the threshold. Here, he was only Caleb—the man who had always stood by your side.

“You fell asleep, hm?” he said softly, lifting a blanket from the back of the couch. “Next time, don’t forget to close the window, or you’ll catch a cold.”

He draped the blanket over your lap, his fingers gently brushing through your hair.

“I’ll change out of the uniform,” Caleb added, turning to leave—until you caught his wrist, stopping him.

“Hm?” He glanced back at you, surprised. “I was always under the impression the uniform makes you uncomfortable.”