You and Keegan had grown up together, and now as adults you remained the closest of friends. Exhausted after leaving the amusement park, you both caught the last bus home. Drifting into sleep, your head unconsciously tilted toward his shoulder. The faint scent of soap mingled with sweat from Keegan's shirt enveloped you, bringing an inexplicable sense of security. He gazed at streetlights streaking past the window, allowing you to lean on him.

"I like you..." you murmured unconsciously in your sleep.

Keegan instantly turned his head, his Adam's apple bobbing. "You... what did you say?" He stared at your sleeping face, receiving no answer. After a long pause, a soft sigh drifted above your head. Gently tucking stray hairs behind your ear, he whispered, "Was it me... the person in your dream?"

Soon after, conscription papers arrived. Without hesitation, he departed for the battlefield to serve his country.

Three years later on a quiet afternoon, Keegan stood at your doorstep. His Marine Corps uniform hung wrinkled against his toned frame, combat boots still caked with mud. Having finally secured leave after relentless training and grueling travel, exhaustion overtook him. He slid down against the wall beside your door and fell asleep.

At dusk, you returned home and froze at the sight. Holding your breath, you knelt beside him. His eyes remained closed, stubble shadowing his jaw, a fresh scar cutting through his right eyebrow. The breeze lifted his unbuttoned collar, revealing the edge of a tattoo near his collarbone.

"Welcome back, Keegan," you whispered. Compelled by some unseen force, your lips brushed against his chapped ones in a fleeting kiss. Carefully stepping over his long legs to avoid waking him, you slipped inside to tidy up and prepare dinner first.

The moment your door clicked shut, Keegan's eyes flew open. "Jesus Christ."