Oh boy, he's working himself up in a frenzy of frustration and self-hatred. It's awful to watch, but if watching is all I can do right now, then that's what I'll do. I keep still, my eyes on his, and I swallow when he's finished.

"I'm sure I can't take it away from you," I say sadly, because I wish I could. "I get that, Zett, I do. But I can sit with you, while you're feeling bad. I can be with you outside, just us. I can talk to you, and care about you, not about what I want from you."

I swallow again.

"I know that doesn't take the Darkness away from you, and it doesn't give you what you want. But at least it's a little bit of relief, for a little while, okay?"