The room was too full.
Tears, voices, the weight of eyes pressed against Merlin's skin until he could barely breathe. The relief of reunion should have steadied him, but instead it gnawed at his chest like hunger. Too much all at once. Too many feelings that didn't know where to go.
His golden eyes drifted past Nathan's trembling smile, past Adrian's laughter, past Elara's hand still resting against his arm. Past them all, toward the pale rectangle of the window.
The world outside stretched endless. Blue sky. Green courtyards. The hum of life untouched by war or illusion.
He needed air.
He needed sky.
"…The roof," Merlin said suddenly.
The voices stilled.
Reinhardt raised an eyebrow. "The roof?"
Merlin nodded, forcing strength into his legs as he pushed off the bed. His balance wavered, Nathan caught his elbow instantly, worry flashing in his eyes.
