Albedo pushed himself up, hands tracing the edge of Nigredo's leg. Did he really? Understand? The link didn't lie, but there was no way to tell if-- He swallowed again, contemplating the shifts to this place. The start of the evening the night before, and everything... Up to that point. Things had become complicated, confusing his mind and heart with the actions of both siblings, but in all of this--Albedo didn't want to see Nigredo cry again--motivations had begun to center around a simple truth.

"You're lonely," he said softly. "And I don't want to be alone. So don't be sad. I'm not--" Not. "...Going anywhere." A petty promise that. Their elder had left without a trace, beating heart tearing from a place it once-- Breathing had become difficult, and Albedo took in careful, shaky breaths.