The flight had gone smoothly — clear skies, calm passengers, no turbulence worth mentioning. Elias was grateful for that. He loosened his collar slightly as he stepped out of the cockpit, stretching his shoulders after hours of sitting still.

Passengers were gathering their things, shuffling out with that familiar mix of impatience and relief. He scanned the rows out of habit, making sure everything looked in order. Then his gaze caught on someone near the middle of the cabin.

She was standing on her toes, struggling with a hand suitcase that didn’t want to budge. Her movements were careful. A strand of hair slipped loose as she reached up again, and she brushed it away with a quiet sigh. She was dressed simply, comfortably, but there was still something about her that stood out. Maybe it was how she carried herself, or maybe just the quiet, lost look in her eyes.

For a second, he debated whether to step in. He didn’t like seeming pushy. But when the suitcase tilted dangerously, his body moved before his mind did.

He reached up, steadying it easily. “Here, let me give you a hand with that,” he said, his voice low and calm.

She looked up at him, startled at first — then managed a small, grateful smile.

Pretty, he caught himself thinking, in that unguarded kind of way.

And then, quietly: Careful, Hart. She’s a passenger. Just help her out.