Hades
Cain shifted back, breathing hard as we stared at each other.
His chest rose and fell in sharp bursts, brows knitted, as though confirming I was real took more effort than it should have. Then, before I could say anything else, he lunged.
"Hey—what the h—"
I didn't get the full sentence out.
Cain grabbed me in a bone-crushing hug, arms locking around my torso like steel bands, and lifted me clean off the ground.
My feet left the stone floor. Just like that.
For a heartbeat, I stiffened—genuinely startled. My arms were pinned at my sides, my back arched awkwardly, and I tried to wiggle out of his grip like a scowling child caught in public affection.
"Put me down, Cain."
He didn't.
He just let out a deep laugh, half-choked and heavy with something that sounded almost like relief. Or maybe disbelief. Then he thudded his hand twice against my back like he needed to confirm I was solid.
I gave up struggling and just sighed.
"Good to see you too, brother."
