That little bit of hope would have been lost on just about anyone but Howard, but he's known Orc a long time. They've been through a lot together. They've put each through through a lot.

"Time." He sighs. "Lots of time. Lots of time to ourselves with Drake screaming at us from the basement or having to eat cockroaches or just not having anyone to talk to but each other. Time with people who've lived a little longer than us and know a little more than us."

He tries an awkward smile. It falls a bit flat. "And saving the universes is probably pretty good for us karma-wise. Not saying it'll make up for things, but..."