Steven's soul settles into him, and Greg's relief and joy is so intense that he practically feels the effect himself. He'll never be able to forget the sensation: the terrifying, beautiful return to self as what's always been and always should be clicks back into place, what's been known all along but inexplicably forgotten.

Tears begin rolling over his cheeks as well as Greg clings to his son. "Yeah. And you're here, too." Some color and youth returns to his body while shadows peel away from around them. It's been too dark for too long. Greg carries Steven away from the puddles of black still sticking fast, back to the sanctum of the battered old van.

"We're here, we're here, we're here." He repeats the words between tearful breaths. It's true, for the first time in a lifetime. All of both of them are finally together, even more than when fused. So long as that's true, they're safe.