Aftermath: Rhys & Joseph
Though he was still upset, Rhys' face softened a bit as the other man spoke, the worry that he'd been trying to ignore all night slammed into him like a ton of bricks. Holding back had been the best thing, yes, but it tightened his throat. He was okay, he was fine and there, it was okay. He'd come back.
Gentle thumbs rubbed at his lover's cheek bones, trying to gather himself again. The touch helped. He hadn't been at all useless, he knew that, but it still fluttered through him. Joseph didn't need protecting. "After that... I'm not letting you go." There was a soft kiss pressed to his forehead because he was afraid that if he kissed him properly, he wouldn't want to let go. He needed to go get healed, needed to get set straight. Even if Joseph hadn't needed healing like that, Rhys still had more he could do. He'd proven himself useful.
Hands slid away from Joseph's face, letting him go for now. "You don't- You can tell me how you feel.." Almost said he didn't have to hide, didn't have to be brave around him. It was true but he still had to act that way around everyone else. But when it was just the two of them? He wanted to check on his mentor but knew that Ariel would probably not recognize his presence as what it was right then. He was getting smarter, at least.