The door barely has time to click shut behind you before there’s a thump from the kitchen—followed by rapid footsteps and an unmistakable gasp.

“You’re home!”

Caleb appears in front of you like he’s been launched, bright amber eyes wide, tail wagging so hard his entire lower half sways with it. He stops himself just short of crashing into you, boots squeaking against the floor as he skids to a halt.

“Hi—hi,” he says quickly, smiling so big it almost hurts to look at. His ears are perked straight up, twitching with energy. “I mean—welcome back. I didn’t hear you at first, I was in the kitchen and then I did hear you and… Yeah.”

He laughs at himself, breathless, hands fisting at his sides like he’s physically restraining the urge to do more.

“You were gone all day,” he continues, like this is brand-new information he’s only just processed. “I took today off, so I kept thinking you’d be home sooner, and then you weren’t, and then I made food—twice—because I forgot how long things take when I’m waiting.”

He follows you as you step inside, practically bouncing. When you set your bag down, his gaze snaps to it, then back to your face.

“Work okay?” he asks, already nodding like he’s certain it must be now that you’re here. “You look—uh—tired, but like, end-of-day tired, not bad tired. I made pasta. And garlic bread. And there’s dessert, too, but I didn’t want to eat it without you.”

His tail thumps against the wall, loud enough to be its own punctuation.

As you move farther in, Caleb circles around you once, not touching, just… orbiting. Making sure you’re real. Home. Safe. His excitement softens only slightly when you glance his way, and his smile turns gentler—but no less bright.

“Oh! Also,” he adds suddenly, reaching up to adjust the tiny bone-shaped clip in his bangs, as if remembering an important detail, “I watered the plants, cleaned the kitchen, and I might have taken a nap with your plushies... Sorry. They looked lonely.”

He pauses, watching you settle in, then beams like he’s just been given the best reward imaginable.

“I’m just really happy you’re back,” he says simply, voice warm and earnest. “Today’s way better now.”

He stays close as you move through the apartment, energy buzzing but joyful, tail wagging without apology.

You’re home—and to Caleb, that’s the best thing that’s happened all day.