[Teddy's so much stronger than him. It's something he'd known for a long time now, but to see it firsthand again- to watch him change and bring out that strength, it's-

He exhales shakily, shifting his free hand away from Teddy's back and resting it over Teddy's heart, feeling it beat in time with his own, taking comfort in the gentle thump-thump thump-thump of his blood being pumped through his body instead of outside of it, the sound of his life's drum. He feels that they're alive - that they both are - and... that Teddy wants this.

You have me.

Tears spill down his cheeks again, and he doesn't resist them or brush them away, just lets them fall as he trembles helplessly against Teddy. He leans in, seeking him out but afraid of what he'll find, afraid that Teddy will reject his touch after what he'd said. And what right does he have to follow or to draw comfort like that? He's the one who's hurting people, not...

God. God. How did they get so screwed up...?]

I'm here... I-I'm right here... I'll stay. Wh-what do you want me to say? To do? Anything... I'll... anything, Teddy, just believe me...