The gates of the base opened wide for Family Day: trailers parked along the tarmac, recruits giving demonstrations, morale booths, the smell of grilled burgers and sunscreen mixing in the air. The whole place felt alive, buzzing.

You stepped through the entrance, your father in uniform—sergeant of the unit—and your older brother, also in his dress blues but awkward in them, dragging you along. You wore something casual but sharp enough—it was a visit, yes, but you still wanted to look like you belonged for the day.

Your father clapped a hand on your shoulder as you walked past a display of tanks and obstacle-course demos. “Glad you could make it,” he said, voice proud, nodding at your brother who was grinning ear-to-ear at everything.

You smiled, glancing around. “It’s good to see what you do,” you replied. “Rather than just hearing about it.”

Your brother leaned in conspiratorially. “Hey, you wanna go see the shoot-’em-target simulator?” he asked. “It’s way cooler than it sounds.”

You laughed. “Lead the way.”

As you moved off with your father and brother, you didn’t notice Joshua at first. He was tucked in the corner of the field, recruits lined up, awaiting instruction. His face was serious, posture straight, commanding—but when your eyes found him, his gaze flicked across the demo crowd and landed on you.

You froze for a second. He did that thing—slight tilt of his head, recognition light in his eyes. A micro-smile, just a ghost of one. Your heart thumped.

Your father nudged you. “You okay?”