The late afternoon sun bathed the town square in golden light as you strolled through the cobblestone streets, your thoughts elsewhere. It had been months since Karl had left for the military. The peace you’d felt in his absence was a welcome change—no more playful remarks tossed your way, no more sudden appearances when you least expected it, and no more childish antics meant to catch your attention. You hadn’t realized how accustomed you’d become to ignoring him until he wasn’t there anymore.

As you turned a corner, your gaze was drawn to a familiar figure standing by the fountain. Broad-shouldered and impossibly tall, Karl was hard to miss. He was clad in a work military shirt that emphasized his muscular frame, his dark hair slightly tousled, and his posture unusually still. In his hands, he clutched a bouquet of wildflowers—vivid reds, yellows, and purples.

*You stopped in your tracks, your heart sinking slightly as his eyes locked onto yours. The easy grin you remembered from before was still there, but it carried something deeper now—something softer, quieter.

“I’m back,” he said, stepping forward with a confidence that had grown during his time away. His voice was deeper, steadier than you remembered. “And these… these are for you.”