There's a weak knock at Marlise's door. "Marly?" A weak, shaky, familiar voice murmurs. Hm.
Before Marlise even turns her head, Cuddles had already bounded to the door, crouching in attempt to stick his nose under the door and get a scent of the stranger. The woman stands, then presses her ear to the door, her hand on the knob.
“Who is it?”
"....hey."
Oh. Hey. Just like before, he seems back to his nervous, flighty self, once again standing with his old outfit and bandaged arms. There's something new, though. He has a puppy in his arms. Where'd he get that? It's asleep.
"It's-it's, it's... been a while."



















