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Jericho looked up from the frozen Venatori on the ground, the crackling sound of newly formed ice still filling his ears. His eyes searched the perimeter for Veryl - she had been right behind him, hadn't she? But she was nowhere to be seen.
His throat constricted uncomfortably, and his heart skipped a beat. "Ver…?" He called, unable to hide the worry in his voice.
No answer.
"Venhedis." Heart pounding now, he scanned the battlefield, assuring himself she wasn't among the fallen. When he didn't find her there, he sighed in relief, but it was short lived. The growing panic within him was quickly reaching a level he wouldn't be able to control.
Where could she have gone? Had they just been separated in the confusion? Had someone taken her? Was she hurt? Or looking for him?
His thoughts were spiraling. This couldn't be happening. Not again. He'd failed to protect her once, and he'd almost lost her as a result. What if he was too late this time?
Finding himself suddenly doubled over, hands on his knees, breaths quick and shallow, he willed himself to get it together. He had to find her.
With a deep breath, he stood, and allowed his mind to reach for the Fade. Veryl's connection to the Fade was strong, despite her own lack of magic, a vibrant spark that he would hopefully be able to trace, if she hadn't gone too far.
A promising glimmer in his mind's eye had him rushing toward the docks. He held on to it, hardly daring to hope that it was hers, that he wasn't too late.
Veryl knocked down the last of the group, slicing open a Venatori's jugular, and sending another into the water head over ass with a well timed shove. Watching to make sure that maneuver took, she swiped at her cheek where the burning sensation grew. Her hand came away with blood. That fucker.
While Jericho and some other agents had focused on getting the majority of their attackers under control, a mage and their handler had tried to make an escape. Veryl had given chase, unwilling to let any of them get away.
They'd drawn her in and gave her a secluded fight as dock workers fled the violence. Thankfully, no one had been taken hostage, and once she got the mage's shield down, getting quick flourishes in became a lot easier.
As the body disappeared into the murky depths, she fell back against the crates, leaning all of her weight on them. The adrenaline drained quickly. Tearing a bit of cloth from her shirt, she tried to stem the bleeding enough to get it wiped away. Jericho would panic if he saw her like this.
She retrieved her knives and started making her way back to the fight, they'd still need her help. The agonizing pain that shot up her foot could wait till later.
"Ver?!" Her name in it's most consistent form had Veryl lifting her head from where she watched her steps. "Veryl?" Jericho rounded the corner of the street, she could see the panic stricken look on his face even from here. Her hand went to her face to cover the wound that marred the fragile skin of her cheek.
As soon as Jericho spotted her, he felt a weight lift from his shoulders, and rushed to meet her. In a moment of pure relief, he immediately reached for her, fully enveloping her in his arms. With hardly a thought, he pressed his lips into hers desperately, reassuring himself that she was really there, as he sank into her embrace.
It caught her by surprise, but Veryl returned the kiss fervently. Her hands landed against his chest where his heart thudded under her palms. She didn't hesitate to open for him when he asked, hoping to give him the reassurance he sought. Her lips slotted against his and a soft groan worked it's way from her throat.
Breathless, he pulled away, and looked her over, checking for injuries. He couldn't fail to spot the mark on her face that she had attempted to hide. He reached up to gently caress the skin near the cut, careful not to touch it, or cause her more pain. "Ver… you're hurt." His voice shook with barely contained worry, remnants of the panic he had hardly been able to suppress.
Her hand held his against her cheek. Most of the blood had been staunched but it still stung. "I'm okay, Bluebird." She pressed into his touch. "They just got the better of me for a second. But I'm alright."
He nodded, but the fretful look didn't leave his gaze. "I was so scared for you. The fight ended and you were gone… I thought…" He swallowed uncomfortably, unable to finish his sentence, not wanting to voice his fears.
Frigid understanding flooded through her as dark and hazy memories she still couldn't fully recall, tried to force their way forward. She shoved them deep down before they could cause her own uncontrollable panic. Shuffling ever closer, she pressed her forehead to his.
"I'm okay," She repeated it as much for her own comfort as his. She was still there, still standing. "Nothing happened this time."
Wrapping his arms more tightly around her, he lowered his head to bury it between her neck and shoulder. He could feel tears stinging behind his eyes, unsure if they were tears of lingering panic or relief. His voice came out muffled against her clothing. "I'm so glad you're safe. I love you, Ver."
Veryl moved her hands to cup his face, bringing him closer for a softer kiss, meant to ground him there in the moment with her. She hugged him close, another reminder that everything was real and no lasting harm had taken hold.
"I love you too, Bluebird," she murmured against his hair. "For always, and every version of me."