[ rand lopes up the path ryunosuke's created with long strides, crossing the distance in less time than he might usually, as if to make up for the delay in getting there, but still feeling too slow. the distance between the courtyard's edge and here can't be so far, but it was enough for more kenoma than he can count, in this moment, to get in his way.

in this moment, though —

he isn't even all the way up when he throws his arms out, weaves coiling around the chains still binding abel and snapping them like straw. another gesture dispels some of that smoke and immediate heat, cooling the air to something more easily breathable. easier to see in, as his eyes pull so wide, because there's dokja closing in on himeka off to the side, and in front of him is,

abel in the worst shape rand's ever seen him, and no wonder. he'd known to expect this, hadn't he? what's being done to abel and himeka? met with what do you think? he's had too many sleepless nights imagining the worst, and there's no doubt in his mind that the evidence writ before him comes from the like and much worse. it's a dizzying combination of misery and relief, but if himeka can laugh, and abel can smile, he can find himself tipping towards the latter.

he reaches out, hands settling carefully on abel's forearms, steadying, for just a second. just a confirmation: this is real, and maybe they both need that. or maybe this is another selfishness; but in the moment, he doesn't mind that. ]

Thank the Light, [ he murmurs, tremulous, even manages as a smile. then, he half-turns, says, ] Come on, [ it's time for a piggyback ride, okay, if abel can clamber aboard, and he's ready to help if and however much it's needed. he can't help fairly babbling in his relief, ] I've got you, [ and, ] You're safe now, I promise, [ because he will do anything, anything at all, to keep this promise, and ] We're going back, alright? Everything's going to be fine.