Glacius is surprised when the wooden door flies open, and has only a moment to take in his partner's utterly distraught appearance before Carlisle flings himself at him, throwing his arms around the alien and hugging him tightly. Though the clergyman has always grown openly desirous of his affection throughout their time together, this is another level entirely that Glacius has not seen; the human's nails scrabble at the his icy layer, hurting only the alien's hearts as he realizes just how long he's been apart from his partner, and how badly that has shaken him.

"It was that long?" the alien asks, horrified by the revelation. He wraps his arms tightly around the clergyman, holding him tight, trying to reassure him. "Carlisle, I'm sorry. I never meant to leave you for that long. I promised that you would never have to go through anything alone, but I allowed me emotions to get the better of me and acted recklessly.. and we both paid the price for it. I just--I didn't want to be used to hurt you, my partner. I couldn't live with myself if I had, but... I don't think I'll be able to forgive myself for what you went through as a result of my foolishness, either."

Glacius sighs, hanging his head; his nasal cap brushes against the top of Carlisle's hair--normally so neat and tidy, now as disheveled as the rest of him. His fault. "... Let me try and make it up to you. What do you need? What can I do to make it better?"