He was grateful for the touch, a rush of breath leaving his lungs before he sniffled, chest trembling with a shuddering intake of air.

"That's what happens when you get old?" he wheezed, almost falling apart again. Ghost was there for a save, though, rescuing Desire as well.

"Not anymore, Declan. Deterioration of that nature has long since been dealt with. The movie is very old, keep that in mind. The times were different." He cast a meaningful, apologetic look Desire's way. He should have known better than to give Declan such a dramatic emotional topic for a film.

"But in Aoba's time..." he trailed off and moved his hand to grip Desire's, the very thought too horrible. He would simply have to make sure Aoba received all relevant healthcare treatments and inoculations before he left! Yes. Good plan. Maybe.

"...I don't want anything like that to happen to you," he eventually hiccuped, broad body suddenly so small in his sorrow. "Is that selfish?"