Easing closer and closer. Slowly. Mustn't be seen. Mustn't be caught. Closer.

And then fabric and firm muscle beneath one palm and warm fingers in the other and somebody's there, two breaths, and it hurts so goddamnmuch that he knows he is back.

He shudders, body moving the last inch, and suddenly feels the cold of the damp ground. How his feet hurt. His hands. His legs.

His heart.