[ reki doesn't need the nails to keep him exactly where he is, but he likes that they're there. even if riddle feels like he does good work, there's always that voice eating away at him inside, telling him there's no way he's doing enough, that someone could do it so much better, and that, with about 110% certainty, probably someday someone will.

but for right now, riddle keeps him grounded in this moment with his tiny, heart-breaking sounds and his small, delicate hands. none of that matters because tonight, he's in reki's arms, in his bed, in his room. sure, his heart is shattering for riddle because he knows exactly how it is to feel almost comically impotent, but he can be strong for him because it's his shoulder soaking up riddle's tears. ]

Baby... [ he says slowly, carefully, stroking the hair just above riddle's ear as he presses kisses against the top of his head. as much as he'd love to entertain riddle's homicidal fantasies, it's probably unhealthy. right? ] He'd also see that stabby look in your eyes a mile away. Let me see...

[ he tilts riddle's chin up. breaks his heart all over again, seeing how beautiful he looks even with a flushed and crumpled face, but here it is. this is his cross to bear now. he gives riddle a theatrically pained hiss. ]

Oh. Yeah. I don't think they'll even let you in the gate like that.