Greg was horrified at the reaction he had caused. There was Theo, breaking down in front of him and Greg recognized it immediately. He'd seen it inside; sometimes, things just got to a fellow inmate and they would snap. It made Greg's shoulders drop and his face fell, all of his own anger and frustration evaporating as he watched the boy he loved curl in on himself.
He had let go of Theo at some point, and sitting beside him, Greg felt defeated and helpless. He moved a tentative hand out to the other and then, gently, he began to stroke Theo. Slow long luxurious strokes, like he used to use when he joked that Theo was his 'pussy' and he wanted to give his 'cat' attention. Down one arm, down Theo's waist, and down his legs Greg's hand traveled, to start the path over again.
And as he pet Theo, he murmured to him, his tone soothing and quiet, "Man, Theo. I'm so sorry baby. I didn't mean to set you off. Aw, honey, it will be okay. Gosh, Theo, I just want to help you. Tell me what I can do to help you honey. Should I keep doing this? Is this okay?" he asked as he felt tears prick at his eyes, this time for other reasons. He felt like a weak willed man, to get teared up again like this but Greg's emotions were up and down, feeling vulnerable as he found and then seemed to lose Theo before his eyes.