[ it's natural to feel lost, and guilty too--regulus can't begrudge him the emotions in any way, though alfred seems to be begrudging himself them.
(regulus is more frightened of going home than not going home, honestly. nothing awaits him but death in the bottom of a lake, and this place is at least better than that. probably.)
he curves closer, tipping his head and tucking into alfred's neck with a sigh. he's not good at being comforting, though he's working on being tactile--it's difficult, with the family he's come from, the upbringing he's had, to be emotive. but this deserves it, doesn't it? ]
You know you don't need to say it in so many words, right? [ he murmurs it, barely audible, but just for him. ] It's in how you talk about him, how you treat him, how you act when it comes to him. I'd be very surprised if he didn't know from the get-go just how you feel about him. Saying it is just another step. Showing love is more important than saying it. I don't think he'd want you to replace his parents anyway. You're different, but that's good. You don't need to be someone you're not.
[ he sighs, lifting his head and using one hand to tip up alfred's as well, looking at him seriously; his grey eyes are sharp in the low light, but they're fond too. ]
You haven't failed anyone, and I don't want you to think that about yourself. It's absurd. You're too hard on yourself. You think you failed me, but did you ask me how I feel about the matter? No, you just blamed yourself.
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(regulus is more frightened of going home than not going home, honestly. nothing awaits him but death in the bottom of a lake, and this place is at least better than that. probably.)
he curves closer, tipping his head and tucking into alfred's neck with a sigh. he's not good at being comforting, though he's working on being tactile--it's difficult, with the family he's come from, the upbringing he's had, to be emotive. but this deserves it, doesn't it? ]
You know you don't need to say it in so many words, right? [ he murmurs it, barely audible, but just for him. ] It's in how you talk about him, how you treat him, how you act when it comes to him. I'd be very surprised if he didn't know from the get-go just how you feel about him. Saying it is just another step. Showing love is more important than saying it. I don't think he'd want you to replace his parents anyway. You're different, but that's good. You don't need to be someone you're not.
[ he sighs, lifting his head and using one hand to tip up alfred's as well, looking at him seriously; his grey eyes are sharp in the low light, but they're fond too. ]
You haven't failed anyone, and I don't want you to think that about yourself. It's absurd. You're too hard on yourself. You think you failed me, but did you ask me how I feel about the matter? No, you just blamed yourself.