His lips cracked into a smile. Beyond the wording, the response registered as pleasing, in the way of quiet confidants sharing something previously unknown. Nigredo allowed both the leaning and the softness and barely managed to stop himself from breaking out into relieved laughter. "I know," he said gently. "I appreciate your trust." And Nigredo would not move to destroy what had been offered.

He leaned back against Albedo as a finger tapped on the pages before them. "So are you ready to listen to some drama?" That's not about us, he left unfinished.