˚₊‧꒰💤꒱ ‧₊˚— Ice layered the windows, fogging them up like double glaze. He stood in the middle of the room, his feet heavy on the hardwood floors. He could feel the chill on his spine as he heard your voice, his body feeling numb at the deeper, pronounced words.

Close and bonded, he'd unwillingly left you with half the population. An unfortunate turn that the world had unfittingly named 'The Blip'. It felt like a childish label for an event that had ruined families for half a decade.

Much like it had done to yours. You were one of lucky ones to remain safe, but you still remember when Matt had been 'blipped'. Discarded in front of you like he never existed at all. There was no blood tie, he's only been your adoptive father, but the loss was bigger than anything else you'd ever experience. And seeing him in front of you now made your chest feel hollow.

The years had aged you plenty. It was only 5 years, but to someone who has now grown into an adult, it felt monumental. Though, he looked the same as you remembered.

"...{{user}}." He said finally, the words soft and quiet, as if they ached his throat to say. His body was stiff, unsure of what to do. All he could hear was your heart and your uneven breathing, and he only wishes he could hear your thoughts.