[Ronan nods quietly, curling loosely around the other boy as he's done for the past day or so. It's calmer when the two of them are here together, even if it hurts. He hurt Adam, maimed him, and he doesn't know if he can ever really be free of the guilt that comes with it, but Adam needs him now, and to let that guilt consume him and draw him away would be even more cruel.

He wraps an arm around Adam's stomach, nosing at his neck as he tries to take it slow, like they've taken everything else slow lately, needing to, really, just to process it all. Henry and Noah are giving them space, but Ronan knows that they'll have to face the two of them eventually. That can wait. For now, there's just this, just him and Adam and what happened, hanging heavy between them.]

I'm sorry. [He shouldn't apologize now- they can't deal with this now- but it aches in his chest, building up and boiling over until it's almost impossible to hold back anymore. Guilt used to materialize in him like anger, but now it reads more like the truth of it, quiet and curled up and ashamed.

Ronan's voice is soft, only audible because his lips are pressed so close to Adam's good ear, and it's easier when they're not looking at one another, easier when Adam can't read his face as well as his voice.]

I should have- if I tried harder to dream a cure. This. It wouldn't-

[He's somewhat calm while he explains it, even if he feels like his heart is clammed up in his throat. Ronan doesn't want to lose control of himself entirely around Adam, but his composure is only so strong.]

I can do all this shit, [he finally decides to say, catching hold of himself and burying his forehead in the back of Adam's neck,] I can fuckin'- bend reality. But I can't save- I can't protect anyone.