[ the sound of koby's sob moves something in his chest, like a hot poker, stabbing and sharp and fierce. he would storm the halls and drag every single person out of their rooms and question them, beat them into the fine marble floors if he had to, in order to find out who has done this.

his grip only tightens on koby, his mouth falling to his forehead, his temple, his hair. anywhere he can reach to sooth him. ]

You're safe here. I've got you. I'm here.

[ he breathes teh words furiously into his hair, but when he hears it - dreams - the anger in him fizzles out and turns into a sickening ache, instead. the dreams of someone trapped in a tumultuous life, a dangerous life. he makes soft shushing sounds against koby's hair and with little ceremony bends his knees and all but picks him up. it's elegant, but he manages to get an arm under koby's knees, lifting him up to his chest on a soft grunt before turning for the bed. ]

Come to bed - they're not going to bother you now.

[ it's not graceful the way he carries koby, kneels up onto the bed and settles the man down among the mussed covers. but he never ceases contact, moving to fall into the spot beside him and wrap his whole body round him, crushing him to his chest, mouth kissing at spilling tears and the bridge of his nose, fingers petting his hair softly from his face. ]

I won't let anyone harm you.