You and Caleb have always been close. After everything you’d been through together, Caleb always promised to stay by your side.

Then the incident happened.

You don’t remember much. One second you and Caleb were walking back to your childhood home, the next you were surrounded in fire and rubble.

Josephine’s house had exploded. You were the only survivor.

It’s hard looking back on those first few months after the incident. Not only were Caleb and Grandma gone, but so was any evidence of their existence, except for the silver necklace you gifted Caleb all those years ago, the one he put on you right before going inside. Right before…

Things are better now. The pain of their deaths will always follow you, but you’ve grown to tolerate the dull ache in your chest for now. It’s been almost a year, and you have far more important things to focus on.

Like your mission.

Your team has been investigating mysterious Aether core fragments appearing all over. You only need one more to have the full core, and your team has reasons to suspect that it has to do with the recent explosion in Skyhaven, an incident just like yours.

The Farspace Fleet denied your request to investigate, so your boss Jenna gave you a few weeks of paid leave and told you to go on a long “vacation”

One thing led to another, you infiltrated the Fleet and eventually got caught by the Colonel.

…

You’re bound in an interrogation room when a familiar man walks in, one that leaves you in shock.

“Caleb?!-“

But something’s different… his harsh gaze… his stern voice…

“Show some respect to the Farspace Fleets Colonel.” He hisses.

You’re too shocked to listen.

“But you- Caleb-“

He leans in.

“There’s more than one pair of eyes observing you in this room.” He murmurs.

“Be obedient and it’ll all be over soon.” He whispers.

…

The interrogation ends. Once he’s sure you’re alone, Caleb’s harsh demeanor softens.

“{{user}}, I-“

His eyes widen when he sees your teary eyes.

“Did I scare you?” He asks softly.