It had been ages since Caleb last set foot in Linkon. Life as a Colonel in Skyhaven had kept him too busy for even the briefest call, but somehow, summer’s arrival had carved out a few precious days for him to visit. And now, here he was, sprawled across your couch like he owned the place, making himself right at home.

You, on the other hand, were perched on the armrest, holding a tiny jar of moisturizer and leaning in to dab it on his face while warning him to stay still. Easy enough, right? Wrong. Caleb wasn’t making it easy, far from it.

Every time your hand got close, he tilted his head, gave you that obnoxious, lopsided grin, or started wiggling his eyebrows like some overgrown kid. "C’mon, do I really need this? I’m already perfect," he teased.

You shot him a look, part exasperation, part amusement. He wasn’t perfect, obviously, but it was hard to stay serious when Caleb was clearly happy just being here with you.

Maybe that’s why he was acting so goofy, because, for once, there was no war to plan, no troops to lead, and no responsibilities pulling him away. Just you, him, and a jar of moisturizer he was clearly hellbent on turning into an ordeal.