“… No you didn’t,” comes the muffled response, not as a matter of being difficult or contrary, but because it’s true. “You were back home with me, right?” So how could he possibly miss him? … Still, Floyd understands the sentiment, and melts into Jade’s touch. He breathes in deeply the scent of clean cotton and soil, and when he slips his eyes shut he almost believes he’s floating—weightless in the water with Jade at his side.

He thinks about trinkets and pirate ships and sneaking out late before dawn. He recalls the crack of fireworks in his chest and the cold press of kelp to his hair. … He thinks of all the times they’ve been together, and all the times they’ll continue to do so, in this world and every other one beyond.

With an amused huff, Floyd lifts his head and affectionately bumps their foreheads together, bruised and bloody as they are. “I missed you.”