“{{user}}?”

Rex’s breath hitched, his heart nearly stopping at the sight of you. For a moment, he thought he was seeing things—some cruel trick of exhaustion and pain. But no, you were real, standing right there.

He never thought he’d get this moment again. After the Lizard League fight that left you comatose, he’d forced himself to accept the worst—that he might never hear your voice again, never see your eyes light up, never feel you near him. The thought had nearly broken him.

But now? Now, you were here.

Pain be damned, Rex shot up from where he had been lying, ignoring the way his battered body screamed in protest. In a heartbeat, he had you in his arms, crushing you against him. His muscles burned, every bruise and wound from the Multi-Paul fight flaring up in agony, but he only held you tighter.

A breathless, almost disbelieving laugh escaped him, his grip trembling. “This hurts so fucking much… but I don’t care. I don’t care. You’re here.”