None of what they were feeling was fake. Gabriel could attest to that much. It simply... wasn't quite what either of them wanted. But at the moment, it was what they both needed, and that would have to suffice.

He was silent for a long moment before speaking again. "Your mother... Emilie... always knew just what to say in difficult situations," he said, his voice still somewhat tight. "Sadly not a skill I ever mastered. But I while I can't claim to know all the details, I can tell you're carrying far more weight on your shoulders than someone so young should ever have to. If there's any of that burden you feel able to share with me, I'm more than willing to help you carry it."

They... would really need to figure out exactly what they were to each other at some point, he was realizing. But that was for another day. When they could think a bit more clearly.