And that was when all prospects of this being some sort of cruel joke faded with the rest of the world.

Irene threw her arms back around him, and felt her breath hitch as her grip tightened.

It was real.

He was real.

"Don't apologize," Irene said, as... sheer happiness struck her very being like a stray bolt of lightning. It flowed from the core of her being, through her aurals, until her wings streamed out like wisps of smoke from her back and joined her arms in drawing Asriel close.

The warmth and glow of those wings would speak more than words ever could.

It was the happiest she'd been in weeks.

"Baeron, don't apologize. I'm just happy to see you again...! When did you...? How long have you been here?"