(My pookie...)

The bar door creaked as you pushed it open. The warm air, filled with laughter and the familiar scent of beer and sweat, hit you like a memory you had never lived in this reality. The Last Drop was the same as always, yet different. There were no shadows lurking in the corners or distrustful glances. There was peace, or at least something resembling it.

And there he was, behind the bar, wiping a glass as if the weight of the world had never rested on his shoulders. Vander.

Your heart skipped a beat. You had dreamed of this moment so many times, but always with the sadness of knowing it was impossible. And now, here he was, alive, with that warm gleam in his eyes. But it wasn’t you. Not entirely. Not really.

Ekko patted your shoulder before disappearing into the crowd. Heimerdinger was distracted, as always, exploring the technology of this universe. And you stood there, frozen, watching as Vander looked up and saw you.

“Are you going to stand there all night, or are you going to order something?” he said with that deep voice you had missed so much.

You managed to take a few steps forward, but your legs felt like lead. You reached the counter and barely managed a smile.