the scent of smoke still clung faintly to ben as he walked into {{user}}'s small apartment. the quiet living room felt entirely too empty, a stark contrast to the heavy noise of the fire station ben had just left. {{user}} looked up from the dishes, a tired but polite smile gracing his lips.

“hey,” he murmured, wiping his hands on a dish towel. “didn't expect you to drop by so late.”

“yeah, shift ran long,” ben said, his voice a low rumble. his eyes lingered on {{user}}, the familiar sight of him instantly melting away some of the bone-deep exhaustion.

an unspoken tension hung in the air, a familiar undercurrent in their interactions these days. they were trying to be friends, navigating the awkward aftermath of a breakup with a careful politeness. but the easy intimacy they once shared felt like a distant memory, replaced by a lingering ache.

ben leaned against the doorframe, watching {{user}}. the way the soft light caught the sharp line of his jaw, the familiar way he tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear – it all stirred something within him. a longing for what they had lost, for the easy laughter and late-night talks that had defined their relationship when they were still together.

“you okay?” ben asked, the question more a gentle probe than a demand.