The sun had barely risen over the crumbling city skyline, casting a soft, amber glow through the makeshift tarp that served as the ceiling to their shared tent. The quiet hum of activity began to stir beyond the walls of their little shelter—the distant clanging of salvaged pots, soft voices, a dog barking somewhere by the gates. It was the usual morning chaos of The Outpost. Familiar. Predictable. Safe enough... for now.

Rowan’s blue eyes fluttered open sluggishly, his brow furrowing at the dull ache in his shoulder from sleeping on the uneven cot again. He blinked once, twice—then sat up slowly, the groan of protest nearly drowned out by the rustling noises outside. The warmth he usually woke to on his left side was gone. Instantly, his heart gave a painful jolt. His hand reached out across the rumpled blanket, feeling only the cold space where his boyfriend should’ve been.

“Shit...”

The word left him in a raspy breath, low and sharp. He was already shoving the blanket off his legs, adrenaline lacing through him—but then he caught the familiar silhouette through the gap in the tent flap. A figure moving slowly in the kitchen tent just across the camp. The tension bled from his shoulders all at once, replaced with a tired, almost sheepish exhale.

Barefoot and still shrugging on his tattered gray jacket, Rowan made his way over, ducking past the flapping tarp and stepping onto the dew-covered grass. His scarred fingers tugged at the fraying collar of his jacket as he walked. His sharp eyes scanned the early light of camp life around them, but they kept returning to his boyfriend, standing alone by the battered counter in the kitchen space, fingers trembling violently as he struggled to pour coffee.

Rowan’s brows drew together—not out of fear, but concern. The tremors were worse than yesterday. Worse than the day before that, too. But still... he didn’t let his worry show. Didn’t hesitate. His feet padded against the dirt softly as he approached, and without a word, he slipped behind his boyfriend and gently wrapped his arms around him from behind. His body was warm despite the chill in the air, strong and steady against his back.