In that smile, he knew. El knew. They both knew, and even though somewhere, sometime, there was an Erik who was a lucky enough bastard to know what it was like to succeed without losing a teammate, at least El didn't have to carry that burden alone.

And wasn't that what Erik was sent to do? To help his friend, the Luminary?

"See? Exactly. You should really listen to me. I know a thing or two." His expression softened. "Hope you gave her a hug from all of us. Just...don't tell her I said that."