[As amazing a prank as that would be - and definitely one Lup will put away for later - all it takes is the mention of Barry's name for the woman's cool composure to begin to crumble. Her mouth twists painfully into a tight line as her brows scrunch together. To Taako, who knows her better than anyone, it's so very clear how hard she's trying to keep herself together, even as she feels the world falling apart.]

He's gone! [Lup's voice breaks with the word, blinking away the wetness in her eyes. The long line of her shoulders trembles at the effort it takes for her to composed, both of her hands curling at her side.]

He never came home last night. I thought it was just a late night at the lab, but he never came home. And when I went to check in, they hadn't seen him at all yesterday. I don't... He didn't... [She sucks in a sharp breath, shaking her head at the thought. After everything they've been through the last year, after all of the foolish time they'd spent apart instead of together, he just can't -]

He can't be gone.