He understood. Understood and accepted, even as there were flaws. Because there was something else there, greater than his own insecurity, to mention. The boy swallowed and looked away, and by the time he looked back, Alan's mien held traces of anger.

For Nigredo had spoken wrong.

"If you love me," he started, knowing very well how unfair that was. "You will go against him if you have need. Nigredo--" The boy reached out suddenly, to grasp his sibling's shoulders. "You know I would never ask you to go against him for me." And it was true, all of it, as stark and clear as it would ever be. If Nigredo ever took Rubedo's side, Albedo would be hurt beyond compare, but he would still love his sibling. And he would never ask Nigredo to fight Rubedo on Albedo's behalf.

"But you will do it," he went on. "If your life is at risk." Albedo stared at Nigredo, violet gaze burning hot. "I accepted you. And you said that was all you needed." To let go of a want for death. "And I won't have you throw that away so easily."

This was a tangent, and an awful, powerful one, but it was not something Albedo would simply set aside.