The forced nature of the smile, the way Herbert is acting...it isn't lost on Alfred. He wants to ask, wants to press, wonders why he feels so...so sad.

But does he deserve to question, after putting Herbert in this position?

"...Okay," he murmurs, though he sounds unconvinced, something weighing at the back of his mind. Obediently, he swallows another spoon of blood, then... gently, tentatively, he reaches out to rest his hand on his lover's shoulder.

"I'm okay," he offers. "Engel, I promise. Never again. No more secrets."