Falling.
But this time, it wasn't like the cold collapse into the Merge Field.
It wasn't like drowning in white light or being ripped apart by Core energy.
This was falling with warmth wrapped around him.
Falling while held.
Falling together.
Seo Jin felt reality pulling them down, the white world cracking like thin glass beneath their feet—yet the only thing he could process was the feeling of Li Ran's arms around him. Strong. Steady. Anchoring. His breath brushing Seo Jin's hair as they plummeted back toward the physical world.
"Ran…" Seo Jin murmured, half-conscious.
"I'm right here," Li Ran whispered against his temple. "I'm with you."
Seo Jin's fingers curled into the fabric of Li Ran's shirt, gripping as if the world would disappear again if he let go even for a second.
"Don't— don't let me wake up alone," Seo Jin whispered shakily.
"You won't."
And then—
They hit the ground.
Not violently, but gently, like sinking into soft earth.
The white faded.
