“Stupid—hah—so stupid,” Malba breathlessly whispered—he was so fucking stupid. Stupid to think that he could actually save anyone. He couldn’t—couldn’t... Couldn’t even keep himself from crying against the boy that he cared for far too goddamned much.
“Sorry. Sorry.” Malba bit down on his lower lip as tears trickled from the corners of his eyes, shaking and shuddering against Zelos’ hold. He listened to that gentle voice, felt that slow, steady breath, and yeah, yeah he cried. He definitely cried. But he breathed, in, out, in, out....
His breaths matched Zelos', shaky breath after breath, and that—that was something, at least, right? It wasn’t enough though. It never was enough.