He's scared, the longer he hesitates to take those last steps forward. Time is of the essence, he knows he has to hurry or he misses his chance forever. But the pulsating light is brighter, more intense, and more intimidating as the seconds tick by and Jeremy's afraid of it; he could go home, or he could potentially vaporize and vanish from existence all together. It wasn't that long ago when that was all he wanted.

But it's because of people like Ellis that those thoughts had started to go away - not completely, but they started. Ellis was there from day one helping build him back up, he'd taught him his combat skills and encouraged him to take up archery over other weapons, he always believed in him. Even when Jeremy never believed in himself. The moment he realizes he's never going to see Ellis again is what prompts him to move, pulling himself along the lab equipment to avoid the portal's drag so he can reach Ellis and throw his arms around him tight.

There's so much he wants to say to him, promises that he'll do his best to stay careful and think better of himself, maybe tell Ellis how much he'll miss him or how much he'd helped him all this time and please be careful too, but all he can manage in the moment is a soft, "... thank you."