Mesec thought he knew what it felt like to be surprised - he had his fair share of them - but none of them would compare to those dropped on him tonight. His confusion doesn’t fade, only thickens when Ampere’s distressed voice stumbled over an apology. What shouldn’t she have done? Wasn’t he the one that owed her apologies? Sorry for bonding, sorry for encouraging your son to join in the fight with the tiger, sorry that he never knew what to say or do when she was around. From the big to the small, it was Mesec that needed to ask for forgiveness - not her. “Hey, it’s okay...” He started to say, ready to soothe her troublesome thoughts, but there was no time to get any further than that.

First another squawk and then a blurting confession that shook him. Her apology had taken him by surprise, sure, but it was nothing compared to this shock. He froze - the only movement the widening of his silver eyes as the noise from her wings finally registered with concrete meaning. “You…” He started to repeat it, like an idiot, but stopped himself. She knew, he didn’t need to say it again. Bonded. It didn’t occur to him to be angry with her over the hypocrisy of this situation. There was hurt, yes, but it was easy to put his own emotions on hold for the moment - so easy to sidestep them completely and devote his entire focus to how she was reacting. Lucius would feel the anger for the two of them, it already bubbled through their bond but Mesec couldn’t think about that right now. His heart ached to see her upset and it truly felt as though nothing else mattered except for Ampere, standing by him with her head hung low.

He reached to touch her bent neck, whispering his next words in the space between his and her skin before contact was made. “Oh Ampere, I’m so sorry.” Because although it hadn’t been his fault, he knew what this must mean to her - no night would be thick enough to hide that - and he was sorry that he couldn’t take this pain away for her.

A dozen questions came to mind but only one was spoken, a simple one. “How?” The question came quietly, inviting her to explain but without any pressure for her to do so. Maybe it didn't even matter - she had bonded and no soft spoken words from him or gentle touches would be able to change that fact. He couldn't do anything for her except stand here - to listen, to comfort, whatever she asked of him he would freely give to her.