[ He's glad too. Glad for her, for the time she alludes to them having. Time that Messer has always had to steal, before now. Much like shared glances, touches that don't quite manifest, currents of something more that collide with the barrier he'd always brought down between them, distant and forbidding. Like this, there's just no easy way to express the gratitude that has always fueled him, now brought to light. Her light. With her fingertips trailing down his face, his eyes snap open, surprised. They're sharp as they cut to her, the same alert, stormy blue.

There's only so much he can do, watching the tears gather, clumping her lashes and reddening her cheeks, and Messer suddenly feels frustrated with his own inertness. It only takes a moment for him to lean into her touch, face tipping, brow pressing into her palm. Her hands are cooler than he'd thought. Maybe his face is just warm. He can't tell. It's a gesture so small, but as fortifying for him as he hopes it is encouraging for Kaname. ]

Because you sang. [ for me ] I came back.

[ He steels, inhaling, never one to withhold capability, or strength where he can give it. One elbow bends into the mattress, and he's pushing himself up to face her. All the sensors wired to him strain when he moves, but he figures, with grim determination, that it'd be awful bad luck to have his body give out now. ]

You were always singing. [ He'd let her know that too late, the bracelet's form suddenly sharp between them. ] You said you'd lost count of how many times I've protected you.

[ Pain echoes through him as he finally makes it onto his side. His vision swims, but he focuses on Kaname. On those eyes, bluer than any sky. ]

But you were always the one saving me.