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[He takes his left hand slipping his fingers between Five’s.

He doesn’t know what to say. He doesn’t want to offer platitudes or optimistic thoughts of the future. The point was to remember and perhaps build a memory where the overwhelmingness off it all wasn’t so sharp.

So he squeezes his fingers in lieu of a greeting.]

[ it's a good way to get his attention, and it startles him for a moment but then he finally recognizes him, so he squeezes his hand back ]

Well, here we are.

Well.

[He brings his hand to his lips to kiss it.]

Can I have the tour? To live a day as you did with you.

[ It was his idea and yet living a day like that again sounds terrible right now. He's quiet for a moment, but then he nods ]

But not dressed like this. We need something more resistant, proper shoes, and goggles. We are going to scavenge for food and resources after all.

I'm here with you.

[He takes his other hand holding both of them. He kisses the top of his head.]

Imagine it. What you would have worn.

[ he'll take a moment to do just that, picturing the same type of clothing he found and wore during those years in the apocalypse - easy to move in, and resistant to the harsh ... everything. ]

[He cups his cheek and gazes at him like he's the most precious thing in the world. And maybe he just is. He leans up and kisses his forehead.]

No matter what happens you are not alone, and this fate is not yours.

[He adjust the goggles over his eyes, looking a bit haggard and ridiculous before he tugs him away from the Hargreeves house.]

Did you scavenge in buildings as well as hunt? It might be beneficial to find a few knives.

[ It helps, because Emet's presence brings something different to this all, helps with the loneliness this place inevitably brings. He squeezes his hands a bit and then shakes his head at the question ]

There was nothing to hunt. The only other living life form that survived were cockroaches and I'd simply found a way to raise them and keep an abundant supply of them.

But there were no other life forms. Canned food and non-perishable food was all I was looking for.

Jars then. And bags to carry supplies

[He doesn’t let go of his hand as he pulls him into some ruins.]

And we need to pick up someone special, do we not?

[ he shakes his head at that ]

I wouldn't have needed Delores if I had you with me. And I don't want you to see the two of us together here.

But we can get bags and jars.

[ He'll look around, and eventually he'll find the red cart he used for basically most of his life ]

Or this.

Five Hargreeves. My sun. My promised dawn.

[He cups his face with both hands, gazing at him, and running his thumbs softly across his cheeks.]

Your life has moved beyond this. Take a deep breathe for me, would you?

[And then he kisses him.]

[ He does as instructed, and though the kiss seems to surprise him, it works in calming him down. He'll bring a hand over one of Emet's, just keeping it there, letting the physical comfort ground him ]

I know. But it is harder than I anticipated. Maybe I underestimated how difficult it had been for you during that dream.

Such loneliness and despair has been seeping into you for nearly half a century. I do not expect a single night to compare. Perhaps when the number is closer to equal.

[He leans his forehead against him before he sits against the rubble and tucks him into his lap.]

It is a day I can never forget just as I imagine the day you found yourself stuck here will always be remembered with such clarity.

[ He'll wrap his arms around his neck and sits there, taking a few moments to just settle ]

My first day wasn't really the worst one. The day I buried my siblings was. That was when everything really stuck. When I realized I was all alone.

[He wraps his arms around him tightly.]

Would you mind telling me about it? What thoughts were going in your head. You’ve mentioned it a few times but without great detail.

... When I saw the bodies I recognized them almost right away. Even if they looked older, there's no way I wouldn't have recognized them. I didn't want to fully accept it, but I got closer because of that.

The first one was Luther. He was clutching something in his hand - the glass eye. I had no idea what it could meant but I decided it had to be important if he was holding it so tightly.

Then I saw Diego and Allison. Part of me knew it had to be them, so I shook their bodies, trying to see if I could wake them up.

And finally I saw Klaus, and noticed the tattoo.

Up until then part of me thought perhaps they would come and save me. They couldn't possibly leave me alone in there. But after that I realized I was the only one who could save not only myself but my family.

An overwhelming burden on those of any age. How I do wish such a tragedy has not fallen you or your family.

Would you still like a memorial?

[ he shakes his head ]

With Klaus being here ... Part of me did come to terms with most of my feelings toward their loss. I might never be able to save them, but I can save Klaus, at least.

I’m glad he was able to help you, and you him.

I do want to take assist your brother. I am simply uncertain how.

You and me both. But I want to keep trying.

[ He leans in to kiss his cheek, and then get up ]

We don't actually have to scavenge for food. The buildings are barely standing, and even if it's a dream I don't want you to get crushed under them.

[He nods at both the affirmation of Klaus and the stability of the buildings.]

Would you prefer we simply wandered?

[ He nods, offering him his hand to take ]

I realize reliving it properly would likely be more effective. But I don't think I'm ready for that just yet. And the more I think about going through my usual routine with you in there, the more I worry you'll die in front of me.

That would be counter intuitive highly improbable as it is.

[He takes his hand without question.]

When you do feel the time is right, do allow me to pull you around in that wagon of yours.

[He looks at their joined hands and tries to think of another way to soothe him. Physical intimacy could be an option but this was hardly the right mood. So instead he drapes him in a veil of his aether. Something foreign to this place but familiar enough that he hopes it can help anchor him.]

I will admit I am at an uncharacteristic loss of how best to help you.

[ It seems to work, because the warmth of it is familiar enough to be soothing, and foreign enough to be something he doesn't associate to the apocalypse. He'll squeeze his hand, and brings it to his lips though he tugs him gently shortly afterwards, so they can start walking ]

You're already helping. I realize with how nervous I'm looking it might not show but I would be in a far worse mental state if you weren't with me. Usually when I find myself here you and Lahabrea make it short enough that I very rarely have to think about it.

But now here I am. Actually walking through this.

I truly can’t help if the only way I like your distress is carefully controlled, in bed, and with a delightful payoff for you in the end.

[He looks at the landscape, or the ruins thereof, as they walk. Trying to put into memory parts of it.]

I imagine it helps that you have memories after this. Even if your fate is completely certain, this is quite assuredly your past.

Thought truthfully, it makes me homesick seeing it and I’ve never even visited your star.

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