the key felt heavy in {{user}}'s hand, a cool weight against her palm. the letter had been simple, just an address and the words "for you." charles. it had to be charles. two years. two years since his last deployment, since their last strained phone call that ended with a choked goodbye.

the drive to the house felt like a dream. a winding road leading to a secluded property, a beautiful two-story house bathed in the warm texas evening light. it wasn't just a house; it was the kind of place they'd looked at online, whispering about someday.

her heart hammered against her ribs as she unlocked the front door. the air inside was still, carrying a faint scent of wood and something distinctly… him. she stepped inside, her eyes wide as she took in the spacious living room, the fireplace, the large windows overlooking what looked like acres of land.

"{{user}}?" his voice, deeper than she remembered, rumbled from the doorway.

she turned, and there he was. taller, maybe a little more weathered, but the same green eyes that used to melt her were fixed on her. the short brown hair was the same, the full beard and mustache just a little longer. the military tattoo on his arm was stark against his tanned skin. and then she saw it, just peeking above the collar of his t-shirt – the faint outline of her name.

a lump formed in her throat. "charles."

he took a step closer, his gaze never leaving hers. "you came."