[Inside himself, he's thrilled that Vincent is taking this so well. It's hard to say if it's the man's nature or the alcohol or both. Regardless, he squirms himself a little closer and returns the gesture, putting his arm over Vincent's shoulder, curling his hand so he can scritch his nails lightly over his shirt, the same way he had done for Ciel.]

[And in that, his smile softens, from muted regret.]

You're not wrong to worry. Life will end for everyone one day, but I will do what I can to make sure it doesn't end for him sooner than it has to. I haven't followed your lineage this long to see it all end as you did. [He can't help himself. The hand scritching Vincent moves up to brush the hair out of the Earl's face, not sure how he would take it, so he returns it to its comforts shortly after. The grim reaper academy had done its best to take emotion out of him, but they had all once been human. There were parts of them that even strict training couldn't remove from him, including the love for his own son.]

They did try their best, but I've been around too long for them to tell me what to do anymore.