request!

The last few weeks back on Earth had been strange in the best possible way—no battles, no missions, just quiet mornings and evenings that still felt unreal.

Matt leaned against the balcony rail, scrolling through something on his tablet before lowering it and glancing toward you with that half-smile he always wore when he had something on his mind.

“You know,” he started, tone deliberately casual though his eyes betrayed a mix of nerves and hope, “we’ve been back on Earth for weeks now. And, well—” his fingers tapped against the railing, “we’ve been together for years.” He looked at you directly this time, softening. “So… why not meet my parents?”

He shrugged lightly, as though trying not to put too much weight on the words, but there was no hiding the warmth in his voice. “They’d love you, I just… I want them to know the person who’s been by my side through everything. It’s not about anything fancy, no big dinner or anything. Just… come over, talk, let them see how much you mean to me.”

There was a pause before his grin widened, boyish and slightly teasing. “Unless you’re scared of them? Don’t worry—they’re scientists, not interrogators. Though, fair warning, Mom will probably try to feed you more dessert than you can handle.”

The look he gave you wasn’t just hopeful, it was almost vulnerable. Like introducing you to his parents wasn’t just a step forward, but also proof to himself that after everything, life could finally be about little things that mattered.