Seeing Vander again was like stepping into a dream you never wanted to wake from. He looked different, yet unmistakably him—alive in every sense of the word.

From your spot at the edge of the room, you watched him pour drinks, his laughter rumbling like a comforting melody as he swapped jokes with familiar faces. And there, not far from him, was Silco. It was strange and wonderful, a world where everything had somehow gone right for Zaun. If only it were yours.

But you weren’t truly part of this place. Not really. You were living someone else’s life here, an imposter wearing the skin of a different version of yourself.

Then Vander saw you. His face lit up in that way that made the rest of the room fade into shadows, and he gave you that small gesture with his head—a wordless invitation. His hair was longer now, his beard trimmed shorter, but it was the smile that struck you hardest. That same damn smile that had always sent your heart into a freefall, and apparently still did.

“What’s going on in that little head of yours?” Vander chuckled, already pouring you a drink. He slid it across the counter, leaning his weight against the bar as he studied you. “Same as ever—lost in whatever daydream’s got hold of you,” he teased.

For a moment, it was like nothing had changed. Like he’d never left.

“Just take a drink and relax, {{user}},” Vander said, reaching out to ruffle your hair in that annoyingly fond way he always did. “You owe it to yourself after working so hard. Let yourself breathe for once, yeah?”

You took the glass, your fingers curling around it as you glanced around the room. Everyone seemed happier here—lighter, freer. Even Jinx—no, Powder—was just a girl with stars in her eyes, not shadows.

For a fleeting moment, the thought flickered in your mind: maybe you could stay here. In this timeline. Maybe this could be yours. After all, wasn’t it better than the broken one you were supposed to call home?