★Nathan★
The Dockhouse was already buzzing by the time I arrived. It always had that warm, familiar atmosphere, the kind that wrapped itself around you before you even stepped fully through the door. The dim lighting, the low hum of conversation, and the scent of grilled food drifted from the kitchen, just made it feel like the closest thing to home outside my own apartment. Timothy had chosen a booth near the back, away from most of the noise, and waved when he saw me. He looked lighter than he had in weeks. His shoulders were relaxed, and there was a warmth in his eyes that I had not seen in some time. As I approached, he grinned.
“Took you long enough,” he teased.
“I was right on time,” I said as I slid into the booth across from him.
“You say that every time,” he chuckled as he sig
