"So that was the cookies, then," Vax nodded his dawning understanding. His expression went a little sad then, remembering what his sister had told him, and having taken it as truth. That Scanlan had hurt them all, had torn himself out of their fucked-up little family before anyone could really understand why. That he'd broken their hearts by running away. But did this Scanlan even know anything about all of that?

Vax would ask him, and soon. But not right this moment. It was a very different thing, being told about someone having done you wrong in the future when it was a world and a year removed at least, to having lived it yourself. All that mattered to Vax right that second was that one of the closest friends he'd ever had had come back to him, and he felt a sheen of wetness in his eyes.

"I am weird," Vax agreed easily. "Always have been. But you're the weirdest," he insisted, reaching with both arms to pull Scanlan into a fierce hug against his chest.