The squeeze on his arm brings him back into the moment, and he looks in the princess' direction. The apology catches him off-guard completely, and he makes this miserable, wet noise, reaching up to rub his eyes again.

"It's..." he starts, trailing off almost immediately. It's not his place to absolve him. He's not even sure why Luka is apologizing to him honestly, and as he considers this, an awful, guilty pit opens up in his chest. He is silent for another moment, but he just doesn't know what to do about it except to confess his own thoughts.

"I killed Three. And Two. And very nearly One," he murmurs, his voice so soft it's like he's retreating in on himself. He remembers the way Five reacted when he asked about them - like she'd been hit - and he knows in his nonexistent heart that that means they were just as much children as the rest of them. There are tears on his cheeks suddenly, and he takes a deep, shuddering breath.

"I can only do my best now. For them," he pauses and licks his lips, finding confidence in his voice again as he tries to steady himself. He sets his hand over Luka's again, squeezing it back. "We can help each other be better?"