the new york air hung thick and humid, even as the sun dipped below the buildings. {{user}} fumbled with her keys, the metal warm against her palm. it had been months since she’d been back to this part of the city, months since she’d last seen sam. and even longer since she’d seen lara.

a low whistle cut through the evening sounds. {{user}}'s head snapped up. leaning against a familiar brick wall, arms crossed over a chest that strained the fabric of her tight black tee, stood lara. the slim silver chain around her neck glinted in the fading light. lara's bright smile flashed, those dimples {{user}} remembered so well creasing lara's dark cheeks.

“yo, {{user}},” her voice, deep and smooth, wrapped around {{user}}'s name like a warm hand. “ain’t seen you ‘round in a minute.”

{{user}} breath hitched slightly. she looked… good. the tattoos on lara's knuckles seemed more prominent now, the ink a stark contrast against her skin. those toned arms, the ones lara had sometimes playfully flexed when sam wasn’t looking, were still as impressive as {{user}} remembered.

“lara,” she managed, a small smile touching her own lips. “hey. yeah, it’s been a while.”

lara pushed herself off the wall, her gaze sweeping over {{user}}. “you look good, ma.”