"Will you let me be the one to break it to mum?"

That hand through his hair takes him back to the sort of feeling of safety and security he had when he was a little kid, when things were clear and everything made sense. He breathes softly, lingering there, trying to cling to this feeling as long as he possibly can.

"And- and Al, too, he deserves to hear it from me. Scor was his friend first. And- Merlin, this is such a nightmare. He's going to kill me." Pulse still hammering in his throat, he leans his forehead against his father's shoulder. "...thanks. Thank you. A lot."