The apparent honesty in the response was unnerving--the fact that this person could seemingly hinge on being broken slid like a sharp fear through him. He couldn't say why. But there was a need here, in Ritsuka being able to exist. It touched close to brothers, to Angel, and for that Albedo could not look at it.

And he could not respond to the words used. As if he could genuinely comfort another individual. The situation was foreign, and the words normally said--what's wrong, what happened--seemed too petty, too repeated, too violating, if one was truly on the edge of pain's blade. They were legitimate, but Albedo was not Ritsuka's need. He did not know how to go about touching on this.

He bit his lip hesitatingly, then extended a hand slowly to reach for the other's arm. He went to touch fingertips to the back of Ritsuka's hand--for some kind of comfort or to show he was there was uncertain. As well as the option it would be rejected. That possibility was more than clear.