dcwnhardin:
He can’t help but let out a little sigh, almost of relief when Slat takes his face in his hands, brings their foreheads together. That’s enough to make a few tears slip past his lashes unbidden, because this closeness is something that he’s missed so much, something he wants to hold onto. His hand moves to Slate’s arm, holding on, silently telling him to stay in place for just a second longer, despite how dangerous it might be. They need this moment, just as much as he needs to be near Slate after this to make sure they both make it to the meeting point. And he hears Slate’s pleas, how desperate he is, too, that they both can make it out of here together. It’s more than enough to make Dawn determined to make that happen.
“Fair is fair, then. Neither of us are allowed to play the hero on this one. We’re going to walk out of here together, and I will be using my sight to my advantage,” he mutters, teasing just slightly along with Slate’s joke. But he means it wholly. He’s going to make sure Slate makes it, and he’s going to make sure he’s there with him. He’ll do it as carefully as possible, wait until the last minute to break the illusion Slate’s created, but he’s going to make it happen. He can’t imagine leaving all of this, potentially finding safety at last, without Slate. “I’ve already thought I lost you once, I’m not going to let it happen again. We’ll make it there, together…I love you, Slate.”
HC END:
The two bask in their tender moment. They’re together, after what felt like an eternity apart, and they’re going to let themselves enjoy the feeling of their reunion before they have to return to the reality of it all, to go back to pretending. Slate returns an ‘I love you’ with the same gentleness and care that Dawn lays it out to him. They hold one another, basking in their warmth. But they’re on a timer now. They can’t stay for long. They depart at different times so as not to arouse suspicion but there’s heavy intention to maintain closeness like they agreed. They’re getting out of here together. They will take nothing less.


















