Broken Boulder you only hold me up like this 'cause you don't know who i really am

for once alarian directly answers him -- it's not a poetic sweeping answer but it is honest and he appreciates that, rewarding him with kisses to his ears, neck, wherever he can reach. "i've never had to go through what you have," he murmurs, "but... after my family was lost to me, i stumbled through a fog for a long time, hiding under -- bitterness and self-loathing. because i felt guilty for not dying with them." wryly he smiles, his mouth pressed against his lover's neck so that he may feel it rather than see it. "but now i'm relieved to have survived -- my survival led me here. let me to you." 

he does not move to pull away but falls silent for a few moments, listening to the soothing sound of alarian's breath. "i'm glad you're here, too. thank you for being in my life, alarian."