Zach didn't know how to make things better, not for people in general. He wasn't that kind of person. He lived in whatever society he lived in. He didn't change it. And well, perhaps things weren't okay, at lest not for Ernie with how the music had sounded. But it was okay to feel that way. And he wanted to make it all okay.
But the boy flinched at the touch, and Zach wasn't sure why. Had it been wrong to, but bloody hell, this moment wasn't just...it wasn't in anything Zach had ever known about. There wasn't a guide for how to react. And he didn't want to be a sir in that moment. He just wanted...to be the person that made Ernie feel better.
His hand had only just barely come off Ernie's shoulder. It was still so close. And Zach swallowed, trying to ignore the question that was trying to put distance between them. That wasn't fair. So he did all he could think to do - what he'd have done in a different situation when he didn't get what he wanted. He tried again.
His hand touched Ernie's shoulder again, this time almost with a bit of a stroke. His thumb rubbed a soft little circle. Zach's mouth went dry, and he didn't know what to say. He just wanted to hold Ernie close and convince him, if only for a moment, it really would be okay.