[Bruno continues stroking Polnareff's hair, fingers occasionally scratching at his scalp gently. He listens to him while making the conscious decision to keep his breathing even, calm, and slow to give Polnareff something to match if he needs to. It's heartbreaking to listen to Polnareff though. Bruno has always known at least a fraction of the weight that Polnareff carries around on his shoulders regardless of how much he disguises it with smiles and jokes. But whenever it gets said out loud, it becomes so much more vivid, and Bruno would give just about anything to take it away from him.]

I know, sweetheart. I wish they were here for you. [He wishes he understood why some people are here and others are not, but it's not likely either one of them will ever have the answer to any of that when just the simple fact the dead come back here at all remains a mystery. But if they had any answers, any meaningful ones anyway, there might be something that oculd be done about it.] I hope that they are someday.

[Before you go back, he thinks, but doesn't say aloud. He refuses to add the weight of another death to Polnareff's mind tonight.]

Even if it's just for a few minutes, I hope you get more time with them.