Joseph was trying to be so for Rhys. While he was certain Mab had tried to be somewhat careful with the younger Kindred, Amadeus clearly had not. And Henry hadn't told him much of anything at all. He leaned into Rhys' hands enjoying the closeness. He was so sweet and gentle. His unlife would likely be more difficult because of it. Not that Joseph didn't intend to ease his path as much as possible; even if Rhys didn't choose to pursue a relationship any further than that night they'd just shared.
He chuckled. "You will be, love," he assured him. "Because you're not alone anymore. Amadeus has hardly been an exemplar guardian, but he's been made aware of it. You have Mab. And you have me. Because I am now even more fond of you than I was the night we met."
Leaning in close, Joseph kissed Rhys to quiet his stuttering and hopefully distract him from his nerves. When he broke the kiss, he smiled. "Thank you," he replied. "For reminding me of what makes me truly happy." Not that he'd ever forgotten. But souls like Rhys were rare ones. Even rarer in the world of the Kindred.