"Yes." Definitely all right. In fact, Zane finds it a truly shocking relief, and he has to make sure, has to stay careful not to stop burning pewter. Charles cares. He cares, he was here as fast as he could be, and he's staying. This is still a foreign feeling to Zane, and he shudders as he lets himself slide down the wall and settle against the floor. He feels suddenly cold, and if he blinks for too long, it feels like the knife is still there, only it's come alive and it's clawing at him from the inside.

He's not sure a wound like this has ever hurt this much before. Maybe it just seems different, because now he's learned to feel - to use his skin as a gateway to the world instead of a wall.

His hand covers Charles', over the cardigan.