Seb didn’t respond at first, and then he shrugged. “I want her to be happy,” he said. The moonlight played on his high cheekbones as he looked up at the stars again. “You make her happy. It wasn’t exactly a complicated decision.”

Alex’s throat tightened, and he thought how ridiculous it was that after everything that had happened today – the mental ruin of friends and teammates; the sight of the destroyed city – it was this unexpected decency from Seb that was making him choke up.

“Thank you,” he said finally.

“You’re welcome.” Seb’s mouth lifted slightly. “I didn’t do it for you, though.”

“Yeah, I know you didn’t.” They regarded each other; Alex was almost painfully aware of how much he’d misjudged the guy. “So, you’re coming to Nevada, right?” he said.

Seb went quiet, rubbing his jaw with the back of a finger. “I’d like to,” he said finally. “I never had a way before to fight what the angels are doing here – I guess I never even really knew I wanted to. But now, after what’s happened to my city...” His face tightened. “Yeah, I’d like to come. Even if it wasn’t for Willow, I’d like to come.”

“Good,” said Alex.

Then Seb raised an eyebrow. “But are you sure you really want me to? I’m still in love with her, hombre. If I can take her away from you, I will.”

Alex tilted his head up. The stars were so incredibly clear up here; even clearer than in New Mexico. “If I’m not keeping her happy enough to hold onto her, then I’ll deserve it,” he said. “Yeah, I want you to come. You’re part of my team.”

The tent was lit with a soft glow from the campfire. For a long time, Alex and I just lay in the sleeping bags with our arms around each other, listening to the sound of our heartbeats; the crackle of the fire. I closed my eyes as I ran my hand over the familiar warmth of Alex’s chest; felt him stroke my bare back; gently kiss my neck. I knew the vision of the levelled city would never leave either of us – that it would visit us in nightmares for years to come – but for now, just having this together again felt like sanity. Blessed, healing sanity.