Night had already fallen when Erend finally arrived home.
The soft rumble of his car engine faded as he pulled into the driveway and stepped out beneath the quiet wash of streetlight.
His boots crunched faintly on the gravel as he approached the front door. The house was warm and welcoming, a distant contrast to the war rooms and metal corridors he'd spent the day in.
He opened the door and stepped inside.
In the living room, Arty and their mom were sitting on the couch together, curled under a blanket, the glow of the television casting soft colors across their faces.
A romantic drama played on the screen. Arty was clearly invested, while their mom looked like she was half watching and half waiting for him.
"Hey," Erend said, setting his keys down on the hallway shelf.
"Hey, you're back!" Arty chimed with a smile. "What you did in that base?"
