He didn’t expect her back so.. quickly. He assumed that she’d be gone for a while not just a few months back for the holidays. She had an opportunity to work one of the most famous reporters in all of New York. It would’ve been crazy to turn that down right? It was a big thing for her, standing out from behind her big brother Reed’s shadow. He couldn’t have told her not to do it because that would be incredibly selfish of her, no matter how much he wanted to tell her to stay, to be with him. He couldn’t give in to that. He couldn’t resist running up to her and giving her the longest hug, after all it’s been months since he physically saw her. And FaceTime doesn’t count.

“You look.. different,” He falters, staring at her for a beat too long, drinking in all the new details of her. His hands fidgeting by his side like he didn’t know what or where to put his hands. Like he desperately wanted to just touch her ever so gently, just to believe she’s there and not a figment of his dreams. God, the days where he could just, be gentle with her but now he was reduced to this stuttering mess of himself. When it was just the two of them.

“I bet you’re glad you missed the space launch then. Since you were supposed to be my.. uh.. space partner.” He whispered sweetly, his breath ever so slightly touching her neck.

“Conveniently your work started. That a coincidence?” He teases, glancing at her, he was always a sucker for those beautiful dark brown eyes. The way she looked at him could make him do anything in the world for her.

He was completely down bad for her, ever since they were kids. He always has been ever since he met her, she was just.. the one for him. The one to match his excitement. The one to challenge and tease him.

“Do you..” he falters, reduced to a stuttering mess around her like old times. This time was like nothing had passed by for them.