the sound of keys jangling in the lock pulls you from the book you’ve been reading. you quickly set it down and rush to the door, your heart pounding with anticipation. you’ve been waiting for this moment since the last text spencer sent, telling you he was finally on his way home.

as the door swings open, there he is—spencer, looking tired but relieved, his eyes searching for you the moment he steps inside. the second he spots you, a soft smile breaks across his face, and he drops his bag to the floor.

“hey,” he says, his voice filled with warmth and something deeper, a kind of longing that’s been building up since he left.

before you can even respond, he’s crossed the room in a few quick strides and pulls you into his arms. the embrace is tight, almost like he’s afraid to let go. you can feel the tension in his body slowly start to melt away as he buries his face in your hair, breathing in the familiar scent of home.

“i missed you,” he murmurs, his voice muffled against your shoulder. his arms tighten around you, as if he’s trying to make up for all the time he’s been away in this one hug.