( Basil watches him for a moment, watching the way that Kel hides his expression. Listening to his words is enough to make his heart sink before his stomach flips. He feels nauseous, and his instinct is telling him to go hide. All of their friends suffered in different ways and all he could do all this time is watch... But, knowing the hardship that Hero went through because of it reopens old wounds. Fingers join together in front of him, squeezing, digging. He attempts to breath.

Everything will be okay. Everything will be okay. Everything will be okay. Everything will be okay-- )

... Anyone would be lucky to have you by their side, Kel.

( Basil doesn't deserve it. )

I... I'm sure that it was because of your support that Hero could start to get better.

But -- ( It's so hard to breathe right now, he attempts to take in a breath again. ) ... It's.... It's okay. Sunny and I used to be close like that, too. I-It helped him when he got scared or nervous-- but... I don't hate being touched.

( It's the opposite. But, he doesn't know how he'll respond if Kel reaches for him now.

It's not Kel's fault for what happened in the labyrinth. If anything, it's Basil's fault. This place knows about his deepest desires, too? They know what kind of person he is. But, Kel... Kel deserved to find all the happiness he could find. )