[Niall takes a moment to consider that answer. He's been away from Aurora and the boys for months at a time, but never over a year. No matter what was going on, he couldn't bear to be away from them for so long. When combined with the reaction, Niall suddenly realizes that this thing Matthew's displaying is grief.]
no subject
Oh, sweet boy...
[His arm tightens subtly around Matthew.]
Have I gone and died? Ah, what a bastard.