[ Aaron's quiet and and when Andrew comes close he doesn't flinch away or resist. He lets him take his hand, lets him erase the ash from his palm and leave only the burn as record of what Aaron had done to himself, traces still not clean -- like Aaron's not really clean either at least he hasn't felt clean in a long time, even before Eudio -- even before that night that made him feel dirtier and wrong.

Aaron's a hypocrite. He doesn't think Andrew is wrong, the aversion he'd felt with Nicky had always been rooted at something inward, lashing out somewhat cruelly at times but never more unkind than he was to himself. Never more unkind than his mother. He doesn't flinch as Andrew's fingers are close to the damaged skin but he presses his lips together. ]

We shouldn't have to choose. [ Perhaps, in a way, that's answering the question that he must answer. ] Wouldn't you try to keep me safe anyway? Wouldn't I kill for you anyway?

[ For Aaron the answer is yes, he would kill again to protect Andrew to keep him safe. He'd die for him, he'd take his place. ] No one will ever replace you.

[ It's a vulnerable thing to admit for Aaron, that Andrew's this important, but it's admission after admission but Andrew hadn't refused to meet him at least part way, so he'd give a little more. He hates himself more than words can say but his love for Andrew is bigger than his inward hate. ]