Ezner watched her stand as the world slowed down. He hadn't seen her for almost three seasons now. Not since the morning after they'd met. He barely knew anything about her, but she was his only friend in the world, the only friend he'd ever really had. He saw the look on her face, heard his name on her lips, and knew in the deepest parts of his chest that she hadn't forgotten about him. Just as he had been thinking about her constantly, every trial, she had been too. When they met, he had hoped that they would free him together. 

Then time sped back up, and in a heartbeat, Elisabeth had thrown herself against him, arms around his neck, her face hidden to keep her tears private. His own arms wrapped around her tight, his hands flat against her back. And he held her firmly, absolutely needing her there and now. The world melted away around him. The scent of oranges and lavender filled his lungs. The scent that lingered in his memories whenever he had thought about her, but it was never quite the same as it was now. 

He heard her whisper into his ear, and the face she had bore earlier made more sense. He didn't know how she'd come to that conclusion, but it cracked something within Ezner. And his own tears began to flow silently down his cheeks, falling into her perfumed hair, and he squeezed her just that much tighter. And he held her there, for as long as she needed, for as long as he needed. He was a free man now, and he could do whatever he wanted.

And all that he wanted in this world was to be in this moment with her forever.