Whoa— [ he isn’t expecting the hug, the arms thrown around him, and his eyes widen for a second before the edges crease with his burgeoning smile. he returns it, arms wrapping around her. ] If this is the greeting I get, we should have reunions more often.

[ but that would mean separating in the first place, so, he doesn’t mean it. not really. he’s glad, to have her here in the circle of his arms. tiny obviously upset at her attention being taken away, barks up at them, and he laughs. squeezes tighter for a moment, before letting her go. ]

It’s been waaaay too long, Ally.

[ too long not having seen what he can call his first friend, who had been kind to him when. well. not a lot of people were. at times, he thought he might be invisible to everyone else, the thought born by how his peers seemed to overlook him. but she— she saw him. and that was enough. ]

You should have given me a heads up, that you were going to be around. I would have met you at the airport. Made a banner and everything.

[ uhhh. ] Two banners. I mean, can't forget your dad.