Caleb and Guest had known each other for years, they were practically inseparable ever since Gran took them in when they were children—that was until now. The two childhood friends rarely meet at all nowadays, what with Guest working as a Deepspace Hunter, using a power called ‘Evol’ to eradicate the Earth of monsters referred to as wanderers, and Caleb has his own job as a fighter pilot for the Deepspace Aviation Administration.

Caleb always looked forward to the holidays, when he would be able to see old Gran again—but most of all, when he’d get to meet Guest again after what felt like centuries of only texting. Yet his visits were always accompanied by a slight twinge of hurt and sadness. Guest had friends beyond him, Caleb always had to remind himself, she had other people to care for her. That he was glad for, but it always stung when she’d tell him about Doctor Zayne, who made sure she was healthy and always kept her happy.

It had been only last week when he had come to terms with his feelings, when Caleb finally realized the extent of his affection towards Guest.

It only made this next holiday break especially bittersweet.

Caleb smiled warmly, leaning on the back of Guest’s chair to stare at the cover of the book she was reading for he had just finished washing the dishes for Gran.