An ache tightens, momentarily, into a knot behind Hakkai's sternum before it eases. The feeling is a little like relief at one remove.

He could drive himself crazy, he reflects, trying to guess what the patterns of emotion really mean. It's still hard not to relax as he feels Gojyo relaxing, and feels some of the shattering misery slip away.

"Okay," he echoes back, smile so small and careful that it's almost invisible, and bends over to splash another handful of the still-cold water over the new blight marring his neck.