"Awww," Cia teases.

"Sickening," Defiance says, sounding far happier than their word implies.

Anders wraps an arm around Cia, hugging em close so he can kiss her temple. “I feel like I’m in a dream. I couldn’t wait to get home to you all and here you are.”

"Good luck ever getting as far as the market without these three ducklings following," Raeli points out.

“Just try and catch me leaving without them. We’re doing permanent buddy system.”

"Sounds good to me," Ilska admits quietly.

For the rest of the day, neither Cia, nor Ilska is particularly far from Anders, always within eye sight, and preferably within touching distance. Which both do, randomly hugging him, or brushing against him, trying to reassure themselves that he's really there.

Eventually though, Cia yawns in exhaustion.

Anders always responds with hugs of his own, and tells them how proud he is of their dedication to keeping the clinic running. 

He catches that yawn, and smiles fondly, before heading to Cia. “All right, off to bed with you. You as well, Ilska, you look like you could fall asleep standing.”

"But-" Ilska starts.

"He'll be here in the morning," Raeli points out. "And don't think we didn't notice you not sleeping through the night."

(But they didn't know how to help, how to make her look after herself.)

Cia hesitates. "Promise?" ey asks Anders.

Anders takes eir hand in his, and squeezes. "I promise. I'll be here tomorrow and every day after that."

"I'll make sure to hold him to it," Karl says to Cia.

Cia hugs Anders tightly again, before dragging Ilska into the back.

Anders hugs back just as tightly, and watches them disappear into the back room. 

"They really did miss you. Thinking you were dead...it wasn't good."

"I missed them. If I'd known that Bartrand would betray us like that I never would've left."

He turns a sad smile on Raeli and Karl. "Thank you for being here when I couldn't."

"They're our family too, love."

"What else were we going to do?" Raeli points out.

"Now that you point that out," Anders says with a soft smile. "You're all staying here, now? You're not going anywhere?" He directs this mostly at Karl.

Karl kisses him. "We're not going anywhere."

"Like I say. Me and Def might wander out to find stars, but we'll come back."

"I think after everything, Blaise and I could use some stability. And stars," Karl smiles at Rae.

"I can understand that. Being trapped underground gives you a new appreciation for stars."

"Yeah."

Raeli pauses, looks to the back room and then crooks a finger and points towards the outside of the clinic.