Minato made a soft, affirmative sound and sat back down on the bed with Souji. He held onto Souji's hand, one hand clasping it and the other on top. Souji had been upset, more than Minato had seen before, and it hurt. He knew it had to hurt Souji even more.

He stayed in that silence with Souji, like letting it sink in and down, having it settle all around them, like a blanket. It might help right everything so they could step back a bit and look at where they were, then go from there.