Despite the years of chasing Carolina, despite the dozens of scenarios she'd played out in her head, York never really knew what to expect if she ever saw Carolina again. And yet, somehow, this isn't how she thought it'd play out. The sense of distance York feels now only makes sense, after all, given the terms they'd parted on, and the sheer distance of time — even longer for Carolina, all those years York spent in the deep night of death. But none of it really matters, not in this moment, as a sense of reality finally punches through this near-dissociative haze and York feels her heart tighten in her chest.

"Carolina," she says, her voice barely a croak. "Holy shit, you're alive."