For a split second, he froze. He almost didn't believe he was really feeling this. That... after all they'd been through, all that had happened, he'd be held like this. Forgiven. It feels wonderful.

And, to know there was a feeling there. Whatever it may be. It was there, and he wasn't alone in it. He could have sobbed aloud, for how much of a relief that was. He held him tightly in return, pulling him as close as he could. As if to make up for the time lost.

"I..."

The words stuck. It still felt wrong, somehow, to say it. One hand pressed to the back of Shadowmaru's helmet, stroking lightly over the metal. When he finally got the words out, they were soft, almost reverent.

"I trust you... with my heart, Shadowmaru."