It All Comes Back

=== [ CONTENT WARNING: Grief ] ===
 
 
 
She didn't realize that she had fallen asleep on the couch, not until a voice started stirring her from her sleep.
 
"Cass? Hey, Cass. Wake up."
 
There was a quiet grumble from her as she opened her eyes, squinting at the blurry figure in front of her.
 
"Hey." The blurry figure starts, softly, "Happy Wintertide."
A tired smile forms her lips and she mutters out, "Happy Wintertide, Luke." as she rests her heavy head back on the throw pillow.
 
She can hear a light laugh from him and then she realizes what she said. And then she realizes who it was. She eyes snap back open and she quickly sits up, "Luke??"
"Surprise." He answers, and while Cass doesn't have her glasses, she can feel the smile in his voice as he's kneeling there in front of her.
She gently holds his face in her hands, "...how? You were..."
"I'm here now."
"My boy..." Cass chokes back tears and pulls him into a tight hug, crying into this shoulder, "I missed you so much."
 
The two embrace for a moment before he slowly lets go and moves back. Cassandra wipes the tears away and tries to find her glasses. She fails to find them and when she looks back to the blurry figure of her long-lost friend, he's closer to the front door.
 
"Wait, where are you going?"
"I...I can't stay. I have to go." He answers softly.
She stands up from her spot on the couch, "You just got here- Please, at least stay for just a while longer?"
"I'm sorry, Cass, I wish I could... I really wish I could."
"Luke, please, don't go-"