Joseph nodded. The loss of Anastasia and the others who'd been lost was so profound, he couldn't articulate it. Especially watching the aftermath for two nights and unable to do anything but hold people down and feed them blood and hope for the best. He'd envied Rhys his small amount of magic. His lover had eased the pain and the passing of no few of them. Sometimes, that was the best that could be done.
He nodded at Rhys' words. "You helped more than you know," he told him, moving one hand to cup his lover's cheek. "You helped me more than you know. It's easier in a crisis when you have someone to survive for. Even more so when that someone stands by you when you're dealing with the aftermath as well." Joseph could have well died trying to help others get out. But because of Rhys, he had a reason to fight for survival more than before.
Turning Rhys' face back towards his, Joseph smiled. "I told him I owe him a favor," he replied. "He's old enough to know what that means." Favors were how the Camarilla operated. If Cian ever needed it, he could call in that favor and Joseph would be obligated to fulfill it. That was the way of thing.
"It's all right, love," Joseph said. "If you need to scream at me for being such a brave fool, or cry or whatever you're feeling, then do it. Remember what I said when Amadeus and I rowed. Sometimes, the only way to deal with things it to let them out. Even if it means a bit of screaming."