[ Every note of Keigo's voice was wrought with such misery that Renji's lips pressed thin just hearing it. His fingers twisting in his clothes felt like they were coiling around his chest, almost crushing it with a feeling of hopelessness. There was nothing he could do for Keigo and no explanations he could muster, no way of stopping of this happening again. (Yet, always yet, because Renji was determined to find out what the fuck was going on for both their sakes.) The best he could offer was some paltry words and a place to cry. But even if it's the only thing he had for Keigo, he would give it. ]

Keigo. [ Renji's voice was low, his name a tether he cast out to draw Keigo back before he sank further into despair and remind him again that he hadn't forgotten. ] I know it ain't fair. But you're not going crazy, all the things that happened to you really happened. Everything that you weathered, everything that's made you stronger than you think.

[ Aizen, Tsukishima, everything the station had thrown at him, everything here. By his standards, Keigo was a slightly more than ordinary human, but that made all the times his body and his heart didn't break from the strain of living with one foot sunk into the miasma of the extraordinary even more amazing.

His hand closed over Keigo's, trying to comfort him with his touch when he knew the words wouldn't suffice. ] ...So if it happens again, believe me, you're gonna be okay.

[ Renji's cheek dipped to rest on the crown of Keigo's head, his hand squeezing his shoulder. He could see the snow-crusted trees outside, the gentle fall of white flakes, the light of other room bubbles faint and obscured by branches. Public as they could be, but when Keigo was with him he felt like they were alone together. ]

But if you need me, just call.