[It's hard not to chuckle at Apollo's innocent question, and the soft puff of air that escapes in a soft 'pfft' is enough. There's nothing demeaning about it, more simple amusement and affection at the man as he tilts his head back down.

Was Apollo really so blind to all of that?

Fingers brush a stray lock out of his face as he gazes into those eyes, offering the most genuine, soothing, and caring smile he can muster. Because these next words are going to be the exact same. It's something Apollo needs to hear right now more than anything.]

It's you, Apollo. Ever since I met you in the courtroom, you've been there. You were there when my brother showed his true colours. When Daryan showed his, and when Kristoph turns his back on the law an became something much worse than a corrupted killer. A demon, the devil...it's not an easy thing to see or hear about someone you love.

But every time I was left in the dark, something as simple as your smile or as complicated as your irritated sighs brought me up to my feet. It kept me going, you might say.

[His voice trails off at that moment, humbling fiddling with his bangs in sheer nervousness.]

It's hard to say this easily but...


Thank you for taking the poison out of my life. I mean it.