[Billy ducks his head down even further than before, eyes clenching shut, one hand lifting to press against his forehead, grimacing like he's in pain or disoriented. He wants to help Teddy, wants to fix it all, make the problems vanish, make Teddy forget the horrible things he'd been through- just like-

....

But... he hadn't fixed anything. Not then, and not now, either. He can't just wave his hands and make these memories go away. Even if he wants it... what he wants has proven to be terrible and dangerous.]

I thought... I-I thought I could bring you back... I thought I could make everything right again... make a world where no one could hurt you again, I...

[But instead he'd created a construct of magic and memory, little more than an incomplete and empty shade. And all the while, Teddy had been alive and suffering.

His chest hurts, and his voice sounds strangled, nails digging unforgivingly into his scalp.]

I did that instead of trying to save you...