Permafrost Hollows my brain is a time bomb

He feels the presence before anything, the rush of warmth and tension like a wildfire raging through the forest, but he doesn't quite believe it at first. It can't be Kratos; surely he wouldn't have stayed here, once he realized Zephyr was gone. But then there's a nose at his cheek, a familiar rough kiss to scrub away the filth and blood matted in his face. Shame tugs at him, but the feeling is forgotten as Kratos says his name and reality sets in. His dragon is here. He lets out a sigh, and his eyes finally flit upward, taking in the sight of him. Kratos, He murmurs in response, quiet for a few moments after. Then he shifts, slowly, willing himself upright so he can at least face his mate. It takes several agonizing seconds — and his victory is short-lived. He lurches forward awkwardly, falling into his dragon with a sharp whine, half-stifled.
He laughs, then, though there isn't much humor in the sound. You always show up when I'm about to die. At this rate... He sucks in a sharp breath, interrupted for a moment by his pain. I'll never need to be afraid of it. He gives up on trying to control himself, and focuses instead on cooperating with however Kratos decides to deal with the situation. That seems like a better plan.
Yet consciousness fades from him quickly — far more quickly than he'd wanted, and soon he doesn't know reality from dreams or memories from fantasies. It's a long time before he wakes again. When he does, he's alone; Kratos is gone, faded like a ghost, without even a scent trail to follow. Or perhaps it had only been his mind's cruelty; a trick, a callback to his childhood. The thought makes him nauseous, but thankfully he doesn't have long to ponder it. He slips back into oblivion before the first tear can even fall.