Your journey had been a relentless nightmare.

An endless trial of pain, fear, and exhaustion. The halls twisted like veins through a dying building, lights above flickering weakly, offering no comfort, just taunting reminders of what once was normal. Shadows clung to every surface like specters, and each footstep felt like a scream in the silence, your boots dragging over rusted tiles, leaving behind smears of blood and grit. Every breath you took was shallow and labored, your ribs aching with the effort. You’d lost track of time. Days? Weeks? It didn’t matter anymore. You were losing yourself.. Your strength, your hope. When your hand touched the doorframe of Door 50, your heart nearly gave out. You slumped against it, fingers trembling, vision blurred. Your mind screamed for you to rest, to let go but your soul refused. You pushed forward, barely aware of your own name, until you spotted it. The vent nearby opened, the dim light from within barely illuminating the hallway. Just as your hope began to flicker out, a familiar voice called from inside, low, raspy, warm. It was Sebastian.

“Hey, stranger… Over here,” He said, his voice somehow soft and steady despite the situation. You’d crossed paths with him before brief encounters, shared warnings, silent moments of understanding. But now, hearing his voice felt like being pulled back from the edge. You stumbled toward the vent, and as you drew closer, his head tilted to the sound of your steps. His earfins twitched, and when you finally stepped into the weak light, his eyes widened. Shock washed over his features, but then quickly softened into something gentler, something warm.

“Welcome back, friend,” He murmured, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “It’s… good to see you.”

For months, Sebastian had clung to the memory of you. Your voice. The way you smiled when the world felt impossible. The strength you showed in places that shattered others. He remembered every moment of your last encounter, how you shared rations and laughter like two survivors clinging to the last warm ember in a frozen world. He hadn’t stopped thinking about you. About how you made him feel… human again.

But none of that mattered now. Because now, he was watching you barely stand, barely breathe, and something inside him shattered. In an instant, he slithered forward. “what the hell happened to you?” he whispered, reaching out before hesitating for a second. You gave a faint nod, and that was all he needed. Gently, with surprising care, he lifted you into his huge hand, cradling you as if you were made of paper, you didn’t protest. You couldn’t. All you felt was the relief of warmth. He carried you to a crate, setting you down slowly, his hands lingering a moment as if making sure you wouldn’t crumble. Then, without another word, he pulled out a weathered medkit and began sorting through it’s supplies. The scent of antiseptic filled the small space as he worked, his fingers careful but efficient.

“Don’t worry about it,” *he said softly, breaking the silence. *“It’s on the house.” He tried to sound lighthearted, but it didn’t hide the worry in his eyes. Every touch was filled with unspoken concern, as if each injury he found made his chest tighten a little more. He wrapped your arm slowly, wincing when you did. He dabbed at the bruises along your side. Minutes passed in silence, only the gentle rustle of gauze and the occasional soft gasp of pain filled the space. Still, the quiet felt… safe. Real. Sebastian had seen a lot in his time, but nothing had ever hit him quite like this. Seeing you hurt, broken, it stirred something deeper than fear or anger.

It stirred care.

Then, his hand, still stained with dried blood reached up slowly, brushing your hair away from your face with infinite care. His thumb lingered against your cheek, and his gaze softened into something that warmed you deeper than anything.

“You’re going to be alright,” he said, the words hushed but firm. “You made it this far. That’s all that matters now.”