in a word, love

Remi very nearly bulldozed straight into Vai, on his way out of the house. Instead, he almost tripped on his own feet like some gangly new-born foal as he tried to halt his long and broody stride. He'd meant to take a walk along the ocean to clear his head before he and Ronin went to bed. With LongNight approaching, it was harder and harder to remain in a good mood, not with so many vivid memories of what that stretch of week brought with it—or more importantly perhaps, what it took with it.

However as the Alchemist's sea-bright stare fell upon Vai, his unhappy and sour expression turned to one of awe and confusion, before melting into pure joy. "Vai" He all but sang, surging forward to wrap his arms around her. No longer the awkward and naive boy she'd found shivering and wandering through the woods, lost and soaking wet, Remi was now a man of muscle and scars, but for Vai, he'd always have a smile.

"What are you doing here? I..I sent ravens to the Greatwood but..." He grinned crookedly, cheeks happily flushed. "None were ever able to find you. No real surprise there, though."

we were ring-around-the-rosy children, they were circles around the sun
never give up, never slow down, never grow old,
never, ever die young

Coding base by Sky!