Xiomara's voice shook him. He jumps in surprise before feeling his heart swell with a glimmer of hope. It has been two months since he saw her because he was no longer traveling to the Shore after their last conversation. Xiomara had let him down gently, but the pain was still fresh in his mind. Right now, this is not what he thought about. Ironclad burst with joy as his legs rushed him to her on the beach. The waves calmly collide with the sand behind her as she stands there with hurt in her eyes.

He was so excited to see her, but reality soon hit like a thousand stones pelting his coat. She had called for him, but the reasoning was not what he wanted it to be for. "What are you doing here?" He worries what might happen if his mother stumbles upon Xiomara in the Inlet. His head swivels around repeatedly as if he was watching for her to arrive. "Did something happen?" His first thought was that she lost her home, but he thinks she looked too strong for that to be the case.

Blue eyes settle on her white face, never truly looking into her gaze. Xiomara was wiser, stronger, and very much more dominant over the boy. Plus, he was afraid if he took too much time looking in her eyes that he may beak down and cry.