( Basil leans into that touch, Marigold settling against Basil with a loud purr in the meantime. It's comforting enough for him to feel the exhaustion that had been threatening to overtake him for some time now. He wants to curl up into that embrace and stay there for as long as he can. )

I... I don't know... There's no way out of this. ( It isn't Kel's fault that that's Basil's answer. He never wants him to feel like it is. But, it's an honest answer. )

But-- ( He swallows, hesitating. He wants to keep being truthful, but he's scared. )

There's... There's no one else I... I want to be with right now. I'm so glad that you're here.