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[chromosomes]

Well.

[ Well indeed. The Red Hand's plan didn't quite go as they wanted, but the Void didn't kill them all. That's something, right?

Of course, John doesn't say that, or much else that he's thinking about the battle or the Gem or the far worlds. He just shakes his head a little. ]

If anyone's ended up somewhere and has a hell of a long trip to get where they actually want to be, I might be able to play taxi for a while. I fully intend on checking all these new -- to us, at least -- places out, so I might as well be useful while I'm at it.

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[brainiest]

John.

[ As soon as he's there, arms around her, Hermione is pressing close and tight, squeezing herself around the body before her, forcing back her emotions and her tears. What comes out is a breathless, desperate laugh, her face pressed into his neck. ]

You're - oh, you're here.

[chromosomes]

I'm here.

[ Of course he's here. Very little left for him in his world, but that's something no one has ever really understood. He was happy when he was made shardless, and they didn't understand that either.

But he holds her close just the same, nuzzling into her hair. ]

I'm always here.

[brainiest]

You know what I mean, you just -

[ Nothing else matters right now. Hermione presses herself against him, wrapping her arms tight around his body, tilting her head so that he can do whatever he needs to. He's not quite as human as he had been - not that he was entirely human to begin with, she knows that - and the gentle roll of her own werewolfish influence makes her shift to breathe out, relaxing into the nudge against her hair.

He's family. He's her father, adopted or otherwise, and she's so, so happy that he's here and that she hasn't lost him. ]

I'm - me too. I'm always going to be here.

[chromosomes]

If it's our choice, at least.

[ Because there is that option, of being pulled away without it being their choice. He's not sure how true that is now, but- well. Shit Happens. Shit usually, in John's experience, happens to him or the people around him. ]

Everything here the way you left it?

[brainiest]

Just about. Not identical, but - well, it's not the same as the Nimh Gleanne we left behind, is it?

[ She reaches out, her fingers sliding into his, shifting as she stands close with him. This is her family, now, and even though her chest hurts... She's so glad. ]

Harry's gone. Remus, too, and Nico.

[chromosomes]

Nothing's quite the same. But I meant more- the house, specifically.

[ Her wards, her things, her life past the geography of the area.

The news about the others has him sigh slightly, but- well. He can't really say he's surprised. ]

I hope they'll be happy, wherever they went.

[brainiest]

Oh, no, that's fine. The enchantments are holding and all of the furniture is here, as with my house in Leathann too. Most of the things from my office were put down in the basement anyway, and - well, all of Remus' things are there too. All the books and papers...

[ She shakes her head, reaching out, moving closer. She seeks the comfort of being near him and she can't deny it.

At least she can offer him something. ]

Remus is with his son - with Teddy. I don't think he could be happier.

[chromosomes]

Good. And I'm sure Harry and Linn are together.

[ There's a little nuzzle into Hermione's hair, canine instinct something that he doesn't feel up to ignoring. ]

They'll be fine.

[ And so will he and Hermione. ]

[brainiest]

I'm sure they are.

[ The way she feels about Harry, about Linn, is twisted and strange inside of her, but she can push it to one side and ignore it for now, leaning up into her father's touch and breathing out. Even the canine aspects don't stop her or give her pause; she knows what and who he is, without question. ]

And so will we, right? We're here together. Our family.

[ A tiny, strong little family. ]

[chromosomes]

[ Strange, but perhaps time and distance will help. John hopes it does, at least. ]

We are.

[ Unbroken by the change of time, the fall through worlds. ]

You're not hurt?

[brainiest]

[ Maybe it'll all be okay then. Maybe everything will be okay. ]

I'm alright. Just - tired, I think.

[ Tilting her head, she lets her eyes flick over him. ]

I saw so many things in that mountain. It was amazing, but terrible too.

[chromosomes]

A nap does sound like a hell of a good idea.

[ He exhales, stirring up some of her hair. ]

I honestly didn't pay too much attention, but I had a shard in my mouth.

[brainiest]

Are you going to nap with me?

[ Not that he needs to, but they can be wolf-and-lion and not let the world bother them at all.

... Even if she does laugh, tilting her head up. ]

Of course you had a shard in your mouth. Nothing normal ever happens to us, does it?

[chromosomes]

I can. Going to kick me if I snore?

[ John snorts. ]

I don't think anything normal ever happens here. But in my defense, wolves don't have pockets.

[brainiest]

I wouldn't. I'd just shove you out of bed.

[ She laughs, softly, biting back her grin. ]

No, they don't, but you have me.

[chromosomes]

That's rude, you know.

[ But he laughs too. ]

You're not a pocket.

[ #DADJOKES ]

[brainiest]

It's not rude! It's practical.

[ For sleep. Right?

At least the ridiculous joke makes her giggle, leaning against John. ]

But I have enough bags and chests to be a walking pocket these days.

[chromosomes]

Well, that's true. Though they were trying to escape all of those things; you wouldn't want a shard-shaped hole in your bag.

[ Though you could very fashionably patch it. ]

[brainiest]

No, that's true. I could probably fix it but, you know, who has the time, right?

[ This is so much better. Warm, comfortable - happy. ]