The airport arrivals area buzzed with its usual chaotic energy, but Ivy spotted Lex immediately, standing near the security exit with a hand-lettered sign that read WELCOME HOME, CHAMPION in handwriting she recognized instantly as Priya's rather than his own, clearly borrowed for the occasion.
"You didn't have to make a sign," Ivy said, dropping her gear bag to pull him into a hug that lifted her briefly off her feet, two weeks of accumulated distance dissolving instantly at the familiar warmth of him.
"Priya insisted. Something about proper homecoming protocol for a national champion." He set her down, grinning, though something nervous flickered beneath his obvious happiness at seeing her. "How was the flight?"
"Exhausting. Everything about the last two weeks has been exhausting, hone
