[And he looks relieved, for a moment, that Pavlova has let that go for now. Perhaps someday in the future, it will be easier for him to set aside his little acts, but right now they're a desperate coping mechanism for normalcy. Especially with the way grief is still churning through his system like a poison.]

[Vanilla what the fuck is he supposed to do now? He's not the kind parental figure you were, how does he not destroy this with his own two hands like he has done so much already?]

The Witches themselves couldn't defeat us properly, it will take a whooooole army of them to crumble me, you know!

[But after a moment he leans, putting a tentative arm around him, drawing him in closer.]

Despite the nature of this place, I'm glad to see you safe and sound.