When he feels the sand start to give, and Yelena's weight comes free in his grip, Jaeger automatically pitches backward, pulling them both away from the collapsing pit. Another precious few inches of the edge crumbles away into a cascade, but he's at least a little bit clear of it, and then he lands on his back with Yelena on top of him and blessed, solid ground beneath them both.

There's a moment where he's not sure he can breathe, either, a moment of waiting to see if the whole thing gives or if they're safe. Miraculously, the ground stays stable and steady enough for him to heave a sigh of relief a moment later.

He'll give Yelena all the time she needs to gather herself, because that was far closer than he would like to admit, and that minute or so that she's recomposing is time he can use to do the same.