Saying that felt like being kicked in the ribs would have been a massive understatement; Ganymede felt his heart squeeze painfully and his expression softened, smile vanishing.

"You alone?" he asked quietly, and despite all hope to the contrary began steeling himself for the inevitable affirmation. Ganymede couldn't fault Alex for going, and he wouldn't begrudge him anything, but the cold wash of sadness had already set in. "It's a long way away."