The lump in his throat had refused to budge as the slaver took his leave. It remained as he moved to close the door once Karim had come inside, and seemed to swell when again Karim spoke his name. Immediately, he was taken back to the days where he would once brighten to hear that same voice call out to him. His pitch had changed, just slightly, reflecting the many years they had been apart. But even now, the cadence was the same. He was finding it harder and harder to swallow air, and for a long time, he just stood with his hand clenched so tightly around the knob of the door that the rest of him quivered with the force.<br/><br/>His head was going light as his senses swam. It was as if nothing had changed. Now that he was cleansed of the mistreatment he was sure he had endured at the hands of others, he smelled the same. It was like breathing in the fields they chased each other in, the sweet breads that Tykiri would always stow away and give to him. The sweat he felt coating his palms made him feel as though he was enveloped in the heat of his dearest friend's embrace.<br/><br/>He was home now. After all this time, he was home.<br/><br/>And then, he was swiftly reminded of the truth.The lump in his throat felt like a stone dropped into the pit of his stomach. It felt like a fatal blow, dragging the air from his lungs so forcefully that he nearly doubled over. He turned so quickly that he had to catch himself from falling and for a bewildered moment, he stared at Karim as if he had been struck. In his distress, his features changed; fangs punched down from his gums so suddenly that his jaw ached and the gnawed down tips of his fingernails had become black claws that reached several inches long.<br/><br/>He inhaled sharply once, then again as tears made it fully impossible to make out the shapes in the room. He heard Delaney move somewhere to his right, as if reaching to steady him. But no-- this had to be done.<br/><br/>Tykiri closed the distance between them at once. He caught Karim's wrists, holding them tightly as he tugged him closer, looking down at him. For the first time, despite his tears, he was able to see his face at least a little more clearly. He could make out the features of his face, the pull of sadness to his expression-- that damned charming curl that always fell between his eyes.<br/><br/>Tykiri's grip tightened, not at all harsh or bruising, but just reassuring. He<i>really</i>was there. And he was never going to let him go again.<br/><br/>"Don't you<i>dare </i>call me that. Never again, do you hear me?" Tykiri hissed, but to have Karim in his hold again gave him such relief at last. He wept as he loosened his grip, only to draw his dear friend into his arms. "Karim... oh, Karim, I missed you so much..." He was markedly taller than Karim-- he always had been; and he found such comfort in resting his chin atop his head as he had done time and time again.