That familiar rounded face, big, bright eyes, that almost heartbreaking look- it took a moment to process, from the moment he turned his head and locked eyes with one of his missing pieces, what do humans call it?
Relief? Something aching in his chest, but in a good way, an exaggerated throb in his heart. Relief, yes, relief that Kadaj was not only still alive, but had somehow come back.
His legs moved without him realizing, and he’d grabbed the younger’s shoulder in a rough grip before his consciousness could catch up to him. Kadaj felt solid, warm, not at all like the illusions he’d conjured during lonely nights in the dark. He wasn’t just part of the scant few dreams that’d plagued what fewer hours of sleep he’d gained over the past weeks while wandering the wilds. He was-
“Real. You’re real.” Had humor been appropriate, surely there’d been a laugh or two at the expression on Loz’s face, a mix of confusion and lessening panic, tinged with something almost akin to grief. A far cry from the Loz who’d happily crumbled nearly half a city not too long ago.
He shifted his grip, arm encircling the smaller’s shoulders, crushing Kadaj against his chest while his cheek rested on his brother’s crown.
The smaller remnant looked up at his older brother as he approached him, still unsure of what to say. Real. You’re real. He wanted to scream, ‘Yes! Yes, I’m real!’ but he still hadn’t found his voice. It all still felt like a dream but that hand on his shoulder was definitely solid. It was Loz. His Loz. His older brother.
As soon as he was pulled into that hug both of his arms tightly wrapped around the other’s middle. Kadaj’s cheek rested against Loz’s broad chest, his silver bangs falling into his face. Finally, he managed to ground himself enough to actually speak.
Something he’d never had admitted in their past life but he’d never been so alone before. He’d never been without his older siblings. He loved them more than anything and to have been without them physically hurt him.
“I couldn’t find you. I couldn’t find anyone. It was just me.” And he had not been doing well since left to his own devices. Kadaj wasn’t the most mentally stable. He’d acted out rather badly. Terrorized some people here and there, but now that crushing loneliness was lifted off his shoulders. He had Loz again.