[ Gently, hands shift as if to comfort him at that small change in his expression, but fingers just curl a little instead of moving completely. Meeting that gentle smile before shaking their head to his own apology. ]

You have nothing to apologize for either. [ And they try to keep some of that bitterness out of their tone, which isn't made because of Yves. Yves is the last person to ever apologize in this situation. But to face that kind of rejection... and cruelty. It's heavy. ..A gentle bump of their heads. ]

..I know it's just.. a memory, and even if you say it's okay.. [ It's that feeling of "I wish I had been there to help." They can't even begin to recall their own childhood at all. Gone as it is. But were he there, he would have liked to try and hold his hand and say it'll be okay.

He has to settle with doing it now, his free hand settling over Yves' own. ] You deserve better and more.