"I'm glad," he says, his smile holding on for a moment longer before it fades in the wake of Albert's silence.

"Of course all that's true. 'Specially the ass part." He swallows thickly, keeping his grip on Albert's hand tight. Like he can somehow anchor him there, or maybe just to give himself something to focus on so he doesn't start crying. "You're my brothers, the both of you, you know that, right? If I do manage to get out of here, I'll watch his back."