Rookmon groaned, softly, as he came to- a noise swiftly strangled, because he'd been seized around the middle and dragged into a hug, Wolf hanging onto him as though for dear life.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

"I know, Goro, truly I do, but I do rather need to breathe-"

He laughed- a short, surprised sound he hadn't expected- but loosened his grip. "I don't… I don't know why I even…"

"Because… you hate them." His Shadow had returned, and Wolf tensed- but the boy's expression was solemn and… sad. "Almost as much as you hate yourself. But… not nearly as much as you hate the idea of being without them. All this… because, deep down, you're still a scared little kid lost in the woods. No family. No friends, not really, because even if you'd trust them with your secrets, you'd never trust them to watch your back, and holding them at arm's length is less risky than just letting yourself admit that you care. And… you know, that I'm not lying."

Hesitantly, though it pained him- Wolf nodded. "I know. I am thee, and you are me, or… something."

"Or something," The Shadow smiled, as though enjoying a private joke… though it soon faded, the Shadow's expression turning hesitant and slightly fearful. "Don't… leave me here, okay? Not- not alone in the dark to die. Please."

It was as much a plea to Wolf as everyone else in the room.