Reed's Pov
I told myself I was just stopping by his Nana's estate checking in, saying a quick hello, and getting back on the road before I said something I couldn't take back. That was the plan. But the second I saw Nicholas sitting on that porch swing, bare feet on the wooden boards and his sleeves rolled up, sunlight brushing his face… yeah, so much for plans.
He looked peaceful in a way that felt almost foreign to me, i wasn't used to peace. When I wasn't deployed, my days were filled with routine early morning runs, cleaning gear that was already spotless, helping out at the base, training new recruits, keeping busy so my head wouldn't get too loud. But standing there, watching him, I felt something I hadn't in a long time.
He glanced up, and for a second, his expression softened like he hadn't expected to see me. My pulse jumped. Maybe I should've turned back but instead, I found myself taking another step closer, the gravel crunching beneath my boots.
"Didn't expect to see you here," he said, voice calm but curious.
"Yeah," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. "Didn't expect to be here either."
Bailey snorted from where he leaned on the porch railing. "Guess miracles happen."
Nicholas didn't say anything his eyes flicked down, then back up to mine. "You didn't text."
"I know." My voice dropped. "Didn't think I'd get a reply."
"You might've." Nathan sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"You staying for dinner or just standing there being dramatic?"
"Only if I'm not intruding," I said.
"You are," Nicholas replied, deadpan. Bailey grinned.
"But it's more fun this way."
Before I could respond, the screen door creaked open. An older woman stepped out tiny, silver curls wild around her face, she had a dish towel thrown over her shoulder and a measuring spoon in hand like a weapon.
"Reed?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am." I straightened instinctively, giving a small nod. She looked me over slowly, head tilted.
"Hm. Taller than I remember, polite too. Definitely trouble." Bailey snorted, pretending to cough while Nathan just grinned. Nicholas groaned under his breath.
"Grandma…" She ignored him and stepped closer, patting my arm with surprising strength.
"You hungry, Reed?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Good. You're too handsome to look that tired. Come inside before I change my mind."
"Grandma's got a crush."
"Shut up," Nicholas muttered. Bailey laughed.
"Oh, she definitely does. You're officially the favorite now. Don't get comfortable."
"Guess I'll take my chances," I said, following them toward the porch. Grandma called over her You hungry, Reed?"
The house warm and filled with the smell of herbs and roasted vegetables. Nicholas's mom, Vivienne, appeared from the kitchen wiping her hands on her apron. She looked surprised to see me but not entirely displeased.
"Reed," she said carefully. "Didn't expect you."
"I didn't expect to be here either," I admitted. "But it's good to see you." She offered a small smile.
"Well. You're just in time. Set the table" that felt like something. I followed Nathan and Bailey into the dining room. Bailey handed me a stack of napkins and muttered under his breath,
"This is gonna be so much fun."
"I'm just here to eat and apologize," I whispered back.
"And maybe crawl into his bed if you're lucky." I rolled my eyes and turned back toward the kitchen, where Nicholas was pouring water into glasses like it was the most important task in the world. He looked up, met my eyes, and for a moment his guard dropped.
"You look tired," I said softly.
"So do you."
"I've missed you."
"Don't."
"Can't help it." Vivienne clapped her hands.
"Dinner's ready! Everyone to the table." Grandma Jean grinned as she passed me.
"Don't look so tense, sweetheart. It's just dinner, we don't bite. Much."
Nathan snorted. "Speak for yourself, Grandma."
"Watch your mouth, Nathaniel," she shot back. "Or I'll make you wash dishes."
Greg walked in then, setting a bowl of mashed potatoes on the table. "She's not kidding," he said, sliding into a chair beside Bailey. "I've been on dish duty before. It's a war zone."
Bailey pointed his fork at him. "You started that food fight."
Greg gave him a lazy grin. "And I won."
Laughter rippled around the table, Nicholas brushed past me as he sat down close enough that his shoulder brushed mine. His voice was low, almost casual.
"Reed?"
"Yeah?"
"…Sit next to me."
"Sure. Whatever you want." I slid into the seat beside him. Bailey telling some ridiculous story, Nathan arguing with greg about some tournament coming up.
Nicholas didn't say much. He just kept glancing at me between bites, his foot brushing mine under the table once maybe on purpose, or maybe not. Bailey caught it, of course. He mouthed across the table
"Oh, it's on." I tried not to laugh, but Greg saw it too. He raised an eyebrow and muttered just loud enough for me to hear,
"So, Reed," Bailey said, way too casually. "You know, when you left, Nicholas was—"
"Bailey," Nicholas said In a sharp tone
"—a total mess," Bailey finished anyway, grinning. "Wouldn't leave his office for days. Greg had to drag him out for air."
Greg, ever helpful, didn't even look up from his plate. "True story."
"Greg," Nicholas hissed.
"Oh, it gets better," Bailey went on, eyes bright with mischief. "He even started running again. At five a.m."
Nathan chimed in without missing a beat. "That lasted, what, a week?"
"Four days," Bailey corrected.
Nicholas groaned, pressing his fingers to his temple. "I hate all of you."
I bit back a laugh. "Five a.m., huh? You must've really missed me."
"Don't start," he warned, cheeks tinting pink.
Bailey leaned over the table. "Oh, please start. He was basically mourning you with cardio."
"I will stab you with this fork," Nicholas muttered, glaring at him.
Greg chuckled. "Relax, boss. It's cute."
Nicholas turned to me, voice low but sharp. "You enjoying this?"
I met his gaze, smirking just a little. "Yeah," I said softly. "Maybe more than I should."
For a moment, he just stared at me, his lips twitching like he was fighting a smile. Then he muttered, "You're impossible."
"And you're blushing," I said.
He kicked me lightly under the table. "Eat your dinner."