“... It’s okay. Don’t... don’t, huh?” Malba mumbled, his thin frame giving a shudder against that deep, affectionate hold. The last thing he wanted was to make things harder for Zelos, be it by worrying him over stupid shit or... or worse—but worse was what Malba did best though, right?
It caught him off guard, really, how much that single soothing gesture--Zelos’ head resting against his own--increased the tears welling up, threatening to spill from his tightly closed eyes. Malba gave a clearing of his throat, doing his best not to choke on that tightness in his chest. “Don’t. Don’t....” Was he talking to Zelos now, or himself? Malba wasn’t even sure himself.