The apology baffled Nikolai. And his sad smile made Nikolai’s stomach twist with an emotion that felt suspiciously like guilt. Something about Ferran’s expression left him wanting to offer his own apology, to draw him close and leave a soft kiss at the corner of his eye. But he knew better and shouldn't have entertained the thought in the first place, brief though it was. That wasn't his place. It couldn't be. So he merely responded with a quiet thought instead. You don’t have to apologize, Fer. He remained still as he watched Ferran move to settle on the floor again.
Nikolai reached out with the intention of touching his hair, a gentle reassuring gesture in mind, but pulled back at the last moment, hand curling into a fist. His heart clenched unpleasantly and he held back a sigh.
A certain timidity characterized his thoughts and movements now. I was going to finish the other side.