The reactions were taken more than anything else. From this brother, such unconscious open admissions were few, if at all. Albedo retracted his hand hesitantly, something absolutely foreign in the scenario. (And what had changed so fiercely?)

Nigredo spoke, words a murmur, and Albedo opened his mouth to remind him of his own wanting, to leave this place where they were, and then rethought. His hand moved to a brother's arm, the gesture habitual with any prior aspects. "...If you want. I'll watch over you."

A week ago, this statement wouldn't have been reassuring. A week prior, it would have been said as a threat; a wide grin and lilting words. Albedo understood this, saw the shifts in details, and still... Still, it held, despite everything. The fact that things had changed so deeply. His waveform moved forward, traced the edges of Nigredo's own. {Rest for now.}