Atticus almost laughed with pure and unbridled pleasure at Siya’s reaction to his words. The relief that she gave him was the most comforting sensation he could remember in all his years, and that feeling coupled with the prettiness of her body language set the demons on his skin to slump and make disgusted faces, while the angels applauded and swooned. In that moment, regardless of the impending threat of the end of the known world, Atticus felt like all was right in the universe as Siya brushed her delicate lips against his cheek.

He made to answer her, to continue riding the wave of joy that was washing over him, but Siya’s doll-eyes were drawn to the appearance of Max/Thad instead. Atticus felt a twinge of disappointment, but it lasted only a scant moment as Siya squeezed his hand before moving to assist the sorcerer with his selection of a necktie.

The sight of the usually less traditionally clothed Max now adorned in a suit brought a sideways smile to Atticus’ face. He wanted to comment to as much, to tease the man he owed so much, but he refrained as Siya spoke to the sorcerer. Her words carried far more urgency and import than his jest ever would, so he kept his mouth closed. The mention of Siya having found her dragon did catch him off guard, and he blinked for a moment before a proud smile returned to his features. He liked that thought.

His expression shifted dramatically when Max asked his questions of Siya. Max’s manner was so magnetic and nonchalant that it was easy to forget that he had been absent, floating in the realm of the dead for almost a year. In the few moments he had seen the sorcerer, it had seemed to Atticus that the man had merely been off buying milk and eggs down the street. When he spoke to what he had missed, the suspension of disbelief was burst, and the reality of what Max had endured came flooding back into Atticus’ mind.

His face pinched with regret and guilt as Siya endeavored to answer Max’s question of Atticus. Again he remained silent, allowing the vampire to present the truth behind the toll that Max’s absence had taken upon the close group of friends. In that moment Atticus felt so out of place, so ancillary to the hard matters of the trinity of Max, Veti, and Siya. 

“We did our best,” Atticus said at last, as Siya pressed her face against Max’s chest. “Since the day you allowed us to defeat Decima we searched for a means to return you to the Veiled World.” 

Atticus drew his mouth into a frown, one that was hidden behind the hair of his beard, but one that was wholly visible upon the other features of his face. “I am sorry, Max. For everything. What you did for us, for the world, cannot be repaid. I just hope there is some solace in knowing that you were sorely missed. As for everything else that is going on now, you came back at a most…” Atticus trailed off, trying to find the right word. “…Tumultuous time.”