Alphard was not at peace. There was no way he could ever possibly be. At least not any time in the near future, but despite the news and how heavily it weighed on his heart, Walburga's presence after so prolonged an absence soothed some of it over. He was only too happy to wrap his own arm around her shoulders, perhaps a bit too tightly but he could hardly help it. It was what he had wanted. Her acceptance. Her understanding, or part of it. It was when she insisted that they would figure it out together that Alphard let go of that last bit of fear. Squeezing her shoulders in a half sort of hug, he turned his head to press a kiss to her temple.
"I missed you too, Bug." he murmured against her hairline. He wanted to say more, strive to explain himself, but he left it at that. What more was there to say? She knew and she was here. Why couldn't he have had this back home? Was it his own fault for never telling her? Had he mentioned it to her when they were younger, would their lives have been any different? It was enough to drive a man mad, but that to he let go. For now. "These past weeks without you- Can we- not ever do that again?" he asked, tone half teasing and half serious.