"Then don't."

The resolution in Albedo's voice along with his words served to calm Ritsuka's nerves finally, helping him lift his eyes again to look at his friend. Not like Misaki. Albedo would never be like Misaki. Ritsuka loved her with all his heart, but he knew she didn't love him in the way a parent should. Her heart was broken and incapable of feeling normal parental love anymore. Now all that remained was possession, grief, fear, anger and loss, the mourning of a woman who had lost both her sons and the indignation upon seeing an imposter in his place. Albedo wouldn't be like her. He was an entirely different person. Ritsuka had to remember that.

It was easy, seeing how he smiled. Ritsuka watched him for a moment, wondering at how they had become such friends, but deciding the how didn't matter. They were friends now and they would stay that way as long as they could.

"Alright. Agreed," he said, letting himself smile a bit for Albedo, too. After a pause, he picked up his fork and motioned to Albedo's plate. "Now eat. That's our other promise and I won't let you forget that."