Coming back to the institute after a few months in constant fight or flight mode was relieving. Liri was at the front of the building, welcoming each surviving warrior. I had a few new scars added to my wardrobe, but nothing serious. A few were still injured, getting carried in on hammocks.

Liri gave me a pat on my shoulder when I passed her. I felt my lips curl into a smile.

All the familiar faces approach me at once. Aven, Briar, Eve, and most importantly, Badger. He's smiling so wide. I've never seen a person smile so wide before.

He doesn't hug me; he doesn't kiss me. It's okay. Not in front of everyone, obviously.

"You look different." I told him. It's true. He's had a haircut and grown his facial hair out a little.

He whispers from where he's stood so only, I can hear.

"You look handsome." I was donning a beard of my own. Not by choice. I was not a huge fan of facial hair.

"It's... it's really good to see you, Mitah." He tells me, and I want to hold him, but I can't. So, I just nod at him.

"Mitah!" It's Briar. She throws her arms around me unexpectedly. I let out a groan and stumbled on my feet.

"Hey, Briar."

I gently move her away from me with my hands. She doesn't seem affected by this.

"How many people did you kill?" she asks, eager, completely unaware of the fact that I may not want to talk about that right this instant.

But now Aven and Briar are bothering me about it, and I hold up my hands.

"How about I get a nap in first before all these questions, eh?"

Badger discreetly follows me to my bunker. There, he pulls me into a tight hug and kisses my mouth. I kiss him back, harder. I had missed kissing him. I had missed seeing him. His face in my head was starting to blur. I could see his eyes, but his face shape was getting lost on me.

"Now that you are back, you have no excuse for that beard. Let me get my razor."

"That's the first thing you say to me after I come home from war? Wow."

"I have my priorities. Let me see your face. I've missed your face." He takes to removing my beard, and in turn I make him get rid of his too. He looks skinnier on his cheeks. I take my thumb and slot it in the hollow just beneath his cheek bone.

"You've been alright?" I ask, and he shakes his head slowly.

"I wanted to send a letter every day, Mitah. Not knowing if you were dead or alive was so scary." He's shaking now, and I kiss the top of his head.

"I'm sorry I scared you. You'll just have to come with me next time."