Nobody ever touched him. They were too afraid or indifferent of self involved. And he wrapped himself in his shadows like armor. It had been such a long time since someone had touched him. Especially like this. His heart twisted at the hand on his shoulder and the words. Like a dagger between his ribs. Leiland couldn't have possibly known what those words meant.
Darling, take off the mask.
"Perhaps," he said, more gently than he was usually capable of. "But only for you."
Bringing up a hand, he brought forth another portal as the shadows once more wrapped themselves around him. "Come along then, darling." Oh, this place always did have a habit of bringing back the echoes of his past.