["Won't" makes Soubi's mental restrictions sound so willful. The truth is, it would hurt too much to accept your praise, and then have to relinquish it. Sometimes, what you say is too precious for him.

Even without being his sacrifice, you can still make Soubi feel like dying in your arms. His heart wants to be as quiet as it is content when you talk to him. And you'd be the last thing he saw, or felt. Like falling asleep on satin. It's something he doesn't dare let himself linger on, and doesn't really want. But not being yours pushes his thoughts into the inexorable awareness that this is all ending, and a part of him wishes so much that it wouldn't. It hurts to wonder if he'll ever be allowed to hug you again.

He's disciplined enough not to cling to you for his own sake, or mourn the fact that BELOVED hates to touch him. He's strong enough to accept, and obey, and everything ... will soon be as it should be, again. But even so, your words threaten to bring him to his knees. He wants to be everything you think he is. Yet - when you look at this fighter, you're seeing the best in yourself.]

Ritsuka, [he says, his own voice feather-soft,] if I was all a fighter should be, it was my honor to give to you and increase your strength. You gave me ... more than you should, and more than you know.

[Soubi was the very embodiment of strong and invincible, once, and as a fighter, he felt it. You should have met him before Seimei left him behind.]