The instant he appeared within the large hall, after a good night's rest, Kcalb grunted just as he was about to swing his black coat over his shoulders, barely seeing a blob of white crash against his chest. A heaving sigh breezed through his lips, clearly annoyed. He hadn't even been up ten minutes, and it seemed like Etihw was already going to start. Marvelous. "Etihw, at least let me have breakfast—"

It took him a moment to realize that he should stop his complaining and figure out why a choked sob escaped their mouth. Kcalb tensed up, hands at his sides, unsure of what to do. Now that he paid close attention, he noted the way their shoulders trembled, and the way they wheezed into his collar shirt. "Etihw…"

He found himself frowning bitterly. He absolutely loathed when Etihw cried.

They were shaking badly, clinging to him as if their life depended on it. The god hid their face, ashamed of even bearing this side – their vulnerability – to him. In a mournful weep, Etihw pushed their face away from his shirt, thick droplets cascading down their pale cheeks. Their eyes were puffy from the crying, which told the devil that they had been doing so even before he had awoken.

"Kc-Kc…" Etihw hiccupped softly, small hands balling his black coat.

"What happened…" It felt so surreal, seeing them like this – broken.

"P-please…don't ever go away… Don't leave me…" The god pleased so miserably.

Inhaling a shaky breath, Kcalb wrapped his arms around them, feeling the god break. Their weeps grew louder, echoing within the large hall. They clung to him tightly, too terrified to let go, hoping that by staying against Kcalb, the simple act would reassure them that he was really there. He was alive, and this was no nightmare.

Kcalb did not know how they came to be like this, but he did not ask, and instead, hid his face atop of Etihw's head, eyes closing. "I'm not going anywhere," he comforted serenely.

He also did not know, nor would he ever, of the nightmare that had been haunting Etihw for the longest time – a world where he did not exist.