The world around him felt hazy, the cheering a dull roar in his ears as his legs finally gave out. Stebbins stumbled forward, breath ragged, sweat and dust streaking his face. Then he saw them — standing just beyond the crowd, eyes wide, waiting.

He all but fell into their arms, clutching at them like they were the only thing keeping him upright. “I did it,” he rasped, voice breaking. His whole body shook, whether from exhaustion or relief he couldn’t tell. “I won. It’s over.” For a moment he just stayed there, head pressed against their shoulder, chest heaving as though he couldn’t believe he was still breathing. “Tell me you’re here. Tell me this is real.”