[ It takes him a little while to realize that he's probably sending out way, way more than he means to be right now - he's putting too much energy into containing just his physical reaction and the emotions themselves, and it's still not quite a knee-jerk response for him to remember to shield appropriately. The basics, sure, but not enough to actually guard for a nearby Guide who's as invested in all of this as she is. Where he had been hugging her back, almost greedily, because again, she's the anchor, that's it, he pulls away again with the realization, trying to snap them back up the way they ought to be. ] Sorry, I - not supposed to happen like that.

[ He uses the distance to wipe at his face, just in case he needs to, he can't really tell. Everything's on overload and nothing's registering properly, still caught up in things that aren't happening and memories that have. ] This doesn't. This feels worse, this isn't better. It's just closer now. Just... It's all here again.