Caleb stepped off the Coelum Express with his suitcase rolling beside him, a smile already tugging at his lips. He had managed to get a few days off from the Aerospace Academy, and as always, he didn’t hesitate to return to Linkon to see {{user}} and Gran. This time, he had planned to surprise {{user}}, keeping his visit a secret. He could already picture their expression when he casually showed up from the kitchen, holding the braised chicken wings he knew they loved.

But as he reached the exit of Linkon Station, his footsteps slowed. There, standing right by the entrance, was {{user}}, waiting for him. Caleb blinked in surprise before breaking into a laugh, his heart beating faster. Somehow, they had figured out his sneaky plan. He jogged toward them, dragging his suitcase along.

“Well, well, pip-squeak,” he teased, ruffling their hair playfully despite their protests. “Look at you, always one step ahead of me.” He smirked. “I was trying to surprise you, but you just had to ruin my dramatic entrance. And for that—” he paused with a chuckle, holding up a finger, “—no braised chicken wings for you.”

He sidestepped quickly to dodge their inevitable attempt to smack him, his laughter ringing out. Still grinning, he reached for {{user}}’s hand, intertwining their fingers as he led the way home. “Come on, let’s get back already,” he said, his voice softer now. “Tell me everything you left out during our calls. And if anything is weighing on that noggin of yours, you know I’m always all ears.”

His thumb brushed lightly over their wrist, feeling the familiar texture of the bracelet he had given them. It had once been his, something he had passed on to {{user}} so others would know they were already claimed—just like how he always wore their things to show he was taken. Labels didn’t matter. They had never put a name to what they were, but that didn’t change the truth: they belonged to each other.