Watching Herbert's mask fall away, Alfred's eyes widen - he listens, carefully, as he speaks...and as he does, a chill runs down his spine, for reasons he can't understand. His heart aches for his lover, sympathetic tears springing to his own eyes as he FEELS the sorrow, the heartbreak.

(His lungs, useless now, burn. Why?)

"Engel...I...." Reaching out with his free hand, he carefully rests his long fingers along Herbert's jaw, using his thumb to wipe away a tear as it falls.

"I'm so sorry, Herbert. I do. I do see." His own tears fall freely now - he can't seem to stop them, or stop the faint tremble that's shaking his body. Why? What is that, slinking around the edges of his memory?

Sniffling, he guides Herbert gently to look at him again.

"You have me. I'm not going anywhere. You...you need me. And I need you. This was - this was stupid of me...but no more. I swear it."