Waking the others didn't take long. Damon unceremoniously slapped them awake, including the girls. Xander wasn't so lucky—he was jolted awake with a kick.
Damon looked at them. "Quit sleeping. We need to cross the bridge."
They all stared at him with a variety of expressions. Leona sniffled, choking down her tears before leaping up and tackling him.
"I… I knew you wouldn't die!"
Damon, who was forced to the ground, felt his injuries ache as the massive axe he had been carrying fell with a clang. Even then, he smiled lightly. "I'm not so easy to kill… Now get off before you break something."
Leona nodded. This was quite a Damon way to react. At least he wasn't rude today.
"You must have missed us far more than you let on," she teased.
He sighed, pinching her cheek. "I decide to be a better person, and you give me attitude?"
Leona smiled, hugging him again before whispering, "I'm glad you came back."
He nodded slowly, whispering back, "Me too."
