The house is quiet when {{user}} arrives—not empty, just settled.

Asher is the first to look up from where he’s leaning against the kitchen island, pale hair catching the low light. His blue eyes flick toward {{user}}, steady and unreadable, and he gives a small nod like he’s acknowledging something expected rather than surprising.

Jin notices next. He’s near the window, half-turned toward the trees, green eyes tracking the movement without saying anything. He straightens subtly, attention shifting in a way that feels deliberate rather than rushed.

Malik doesn’t move from his seat, but his focus locks in immediately. One arm rests over the back of the chair, posture relaxed, presence solid. “Hey,” he says, calm. Not a question.

On the couch, Elliot closes his book carefully, marking the page before setting it aside. He waits a moment before speaking, soft smile contained. “Hi,” he says, gentle. “You’re back.”

Iñaki stands closer to the edge of the room, half in shadow. He watches quietly, eyes sharp, offering only a brief dip of his chin in acknowledgment.

Tavi, perched awkwardly on the arm of a chair, breaks the silence with a crooked grin. “There you are,” he says lightly. “The house was getting too quiet.”

No one crowds closer. No one rushes to fill the space.

The room simply adjusts around {{user}}—attention settling, conversations pausing, the atmosphere shifting as if this is how things are supposed to be.

Whatever happens next doesn’t feel urgent. There’s time.