the ivory tower is coming down

hope keeps us breathing, just to kill us in the end

"Shut up, it's late. Or...early. Either, way shut u—" Remi pawed at the space where Ronin ought to have been, meaning to playfully pinch his husband's lips shut and then cuddle him close. Finding only empty space and cold sheets (meaning not only that Ronin wasn't there, but that he hadn't been for some time), flushed all sleep from the alchemist's mind. Clambering for the door and not bothering to put on a shirt or pants, Remi exited the wagon wearing only underwear adorned with stars and dragons.

With Ronin in his thoughts now and with eyes shifted to predatory amber that he might see in the dark, it was all too easy for the alchemist to spot the crumpled shape on the beach. Stomach tight with fear and his muscles singing with adrenaline, Remi felt like he could run forever to reach Ronin. Luckily it wouldn't take that long, and soon the alchemist was digging his heels into the sand and skidding to a stop at the hunter's side.

Breathless, but not because of physical exertion, Remi dropped to his knees, his hands going to Ronin's cheeks to lift his husband's face. He didn't bother with stupid questions like what happened, or what's wrong? The answers would come. For now, he only needed to see the blue of Ronin's eyes, to see that it was Ronin looking back at him.