[Sephiroth - too - finds himself taking a deep breath, easing it out slowly through his nose. He can't claim to understand what Angeal is going through, nor can he claim to know what makes someone human, but... he does know that he loves this man with every breath in his body. He hopes that'll be enough.

And Angeal is right-- this is part of keeping their promise. Sephiroth would rather he speak of the pain in his heart than continue to bury it. Accordingly, he shakes his head some at Angeal's apology.]

No... Don't apologize. I want you to feel free to tell me what lies in your heart. Even when it's pain. [A breath-- he thinks again of Angeal's attempt to end his own life today, and his entire chest contracts.] Especially then.

[He doesn't want to end up in that place again-- with Angeal feeling isolated and burdensome, and Sephiroth wondering what he could have done differently.

It may take some good, good deeds before I will consider myself a good man, Angeal says, and Sephiroth laughs softly.] You've always been impossibly hard on yourself. [And Sephiroth finds himself wanting to comfort him-- to soothe that doubt, that pain etched into every part of him. He spreads his fingers out across Angeal's chest again, using it as a bit of gentle leverage to push the other man back against the couch. He adjusts, sitting up on his knees a little more, sliding a bit closer-- he dips his face down until his lips are but a breath away from Angeal's.]

...So, I suppose I'll just have to carry that truth for you instead... until you're ready.

[And then he takes Angeal's mouth against his, punctuating his words with a slow, gentle kiss.]