Honestly, Malba was thankful for Zelos playing along—maybe it was wrong of him to encourage the kid’s talent in the art of redirection, but obviously Malba didn’t exactly have a whole hell of a lot of room to talk. If it avoided voicing the thoughts racing through his mind—the I shouldn’t be here, the I’ll hurt you too, the it’s always my fault—then just this once, he... Malba would gladly accept it.
“Mm. Even... even when I burn it? Still make the list?” Malba questioned, a shaky, genuine little smile taking hold of his lips. God that voice at his ear, the massaging touch to his scalp… He still wasn’t sure what on that so-called long list could ever be enough to deserve Zelos Wilder at his side.