He reaches out to touch Zerxus's face, faltering and closing his eyes with silent longing as he hears his name said in his husband's voice. His name said to him. "Fuck, I've missed you so much."

He lifts both hands and gently strokes his thumbs across worry lines that weren't there the last time they spoke, traces his fingertips across Zerxus's cheekbones, over his beard. "Hello, my love. I'm going to guess you have some questions."