“Hello, Mouse,” he crooned, taking a tentative step towards me. The coppery tang of blood hit my nostrils, but nothing was going to stop me from lurching towards him, flinging myself into his arms.

“You came,” I blubbered, clinging desperately to him, climbing his body like a tree. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me into the warm safety of his embrace.

“Of course I did,” he replied softly, his nose in my hair, inhaling deeply. Then he pressed me back. I whimpered, dissatisfied, but he was firm.

“I am covered in blood, Mouse, and … we must make haste.” He turned from me, raising his hand. A portal sprang to life, blindingly bright in the dark room. It glimmered with reds, and pinks, and … blues? I’d never seen that colour in his portals before. It was … beautiful.

“Oh! Crap! Joe!”

I grabbed at SJ’s arm, my chest constricting. “My brother, he was … Hellen … and⁠—”

“He’s already back in your apartment,” SJ assured me, his mouth tight as he peered past me to the trembling bundle that was Dad. “And … I assume we are taking your father with us, too?” Without waiting for a response, he moved around me, gently stooping to scoop up Dad, who whimpered fitfully, his body quaking.

“It’s alright, Mr Bliss,” SJ murmured. “No one will hurt you like that again.”

He stood, turning to me. His eyes were glistening with unshed tears.

“I love you,” I blurted.

His lips twitched. “Let’s get you home.” He strode towards the portal, the track of a tear meandering down his red cheek. I stepped in front of him, reaching up to catch that tear with my thumb, gently swiping it away. His lips parted as I cupped his cheek.

“Let’s get us home.”

* * *

“Omigod, Jemma, you scared the absolute shit out of me!” Ezra leapt at me as I stepped from the portal into the living room. “I thought you … I thought …” He pulled back, fanning his flushed face and blinking frantically.

“I’m okay,” I reassured him with a squeeze to his bicep. It wasn’t entirely a lie. But my eyes scanned the room until they fell on Joe.

“Well!” Joe blustered, stepping forwards, rubbing his hands on his trousers. “That was quite an adventure!”

I threw myself at him, sobs building in my throat, clamouring to be let out. “Joe … Dad, he was … he’s⁠—”

“I know,” Joe murmured against my ear, squeezing me tight. “It’s okay.”

“No!” I argued. “I mean, he’s here!” I turned to SJ, who was just stepping out of the portal. “We brought him … wait. Where’s Dad?”

I peered at SJ, whose arms were still in position as if carrying Dad, but there was just … nothing.

“He was … we brought him. We rescued him! SJ, what’s going on?” I squeaked.