[@-Knightmare_Pilot-]
The man’s carefully maintained composure was gone, stripped away and replaced by someone lost, uncertain, and breaking. Normally, he withdrew into silence during a manic episode, but this time was different. The whispers clawing at his mind were darker, more insistent—enough to fracture him. His arms clung tightly to Lelouch, as if letting go would make him vanish. Bit by bit, his ragged breathing began to steady under the other’s touch, the only thing managing to soothe him when nothing else could. “Don’t… apologize…” he rasped, his throat raw from strain. “Just… don’t let go. Please.”