He couldn't stop crying, couldn't stop shaking, and that only made it harder for him to accept. He listened to the words but they were so at odds with everything he had just gone through, what he had ultimately failed, that it was so hard to wrap his head around any of it. It didn't make any sense, but his Dom was here and didn't hate him and how could he ever hope to live up to that?

Their stillness, the comfort and closeness, it was so calming and he was getting more frustrated as he couldn't let it wash over him. His hands dug desperately at her back for something to cling to, the hold on his wrists steadying and firm, while he began uttering apologies against her chest. He was lost and they were leading him back, but he still didn't know where to go.