A good day's rest later.

When Desmond had awoken, Evelynn lay on his chest, her feet barely dangling past his knees, as she limply lay atop his form. As he’d woken up, he lifted her from him, as he rose from the bed.

As he rubbed the drowsiness from his eyes, he walked over to the dresser with his belongings in it., as he dressed himself in another man’s military fatigues, one who’d simply never made it to the Vault.

After Desmond had gotten dressed, he’d made his way through the complex beneath the ground, as he checked every room for any possible threats, as Big Red followed behind, ears twitching at the slightest sound, and as the two made their way through it, they reached the Vault’s security room.

And as they entered it, they found an extensive set of cameras documenting the Vault and the entirety of its surroundings, in a convenient manner, so Desmond then made his way back to the bedroom. But to his dismay, Evelynn had simply disappeared.

This brought an immense panic throughout Desmond’s body, as he began rushing through the Vault once again, shouting out her name all the while.

…

An hour prior, Evelynn had awoken in the bed, as she called out in an affectionate manner, “Desmond dear, are you awake?” But, there was no response.

Evelynn stumbled around the bed, smacking around the bed, finding no sign of Desmond’s form, as she began hyperventilating, leaping from the bed, as she began walking blindly around the room, tears brimming from her eyes, as she fell to the ground, crawling around to the next few rooms over.

…

Desmond was rushing through the rooms, passing through door after door, a sheer drop in his chest overwhelming him in his entirety.

After a few minutes, he stopped, closed his eyes, and listened intently, for any sound other than his own racing heartbeat.

And as he listened, he heard a soft sobbing emanating from a cabinet, as he slowly walked over, gently grasping the handle, as he pulled it open, and the petrified form of Evelynn tried stabbing out with a knife, though Desmond grabbed her hand, as he pulled her into a hug, “Shhh… It’s me. I’m here. Don’t worry, I won’t leave you again…” As he said this, her soft sobbing devolved into an uncontrollable bawling, as she collapsed into his arms.

Then, Desmond lifted her, gingerly carried her to the bed, before laying her down, laying beside her, and rubbing her scalp, with his absurdly oversized fingers, somehow expertly kneading her into a comfortable catnap, as she leaned against him, arms wrapped around him as much as they could, though they couldn’t even reach halfway around.

All the while, Big Red was staring jealously at Evelynn, as Desmond patted the bed, as Big Red hopped upon the bed, nearly cracking the frame as he sat beside Evelynn, expecting headpats as well, as he shoved his head against Desmond’s chest, taking care to avoid crushing Evelynn's head from his heft, nearly heaving Desmond from the bed, with the absurd might behind the titanic mutated tiger.

Apparently, Big red had been growing significantly in size, even though his consumption was halted by the lack of sufficient prey, though his appetite was more for enjoyment, regardless.

And then, within an instant, two sleeping entities were purring atop Desmond’s form, as he leaned back, letting the pair fall on him in slumber, as they simply snored away the night.

Desmond then lifted Evelynn, sitting her beside his head, laying her head upon his chest, as her eyes slowly opened from her loose slumber, she nuzzled into his neck, as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, she was far closer than before to completing her grasp.

“Desmond…?” She asked in a light, barely audible tone.

“Yeah…” Desmond was immensely curious of what she was going to say, as he listened intently.

“Do you…” A tear was on the verge of leaving her eye, as she went to continue, but before she could, Desmond hefted her up within his arms, laying her on his chest, with her feet dangling gingerly above his groin.

“Yes, Evelynn… When I lost you earlier, I nearly freaked… So, YES, I can finally say it…” Desmond was holding her tight within his embrace, though it was heedful to her limits.