Fabian nodded lightly at the first bit of words from Kibby's father, his brow crinkling a bit when he said he had a letter from Kibby.

"It's from K.B., she sent us a separate one. I'm not sure why she didn't send it to you dirrectly."

Taking the letter, he barely glanced at the writing before looking back at Mr. Grey and offering a low thanks. That the man was waiting for a reason for the letter being sent indirectly wasn't lost on him, but he didn't see any need to fill in blanks. Not in relation to his place with Kibby.

He read the letter, his eyes skimming it quickly before he was folding it and shoving it into the pocket of his jeans. He'd take the words in more carefully later. Later when he wouldn't be worried about the tears that were pricking at the back of his eyes.

The words washed over him as they offered condolencenses. Words he'd heard from what felt like a thousand others. It was the difference in the touch, though, that had him sucking in a hard breath. He wouldn't cry. He wouldn't.

He was stronger than that. He had to be a man and a man didn't cry. Ever. Not for any reason in the world.

"Fabian, please let us help."

Except that. The choking sobs gripped him in the next instant. The choking sobs he'd not allowed himself to give into yet. Gideon had wept. Had wept openly and unashamedly at the funeral. Probably wept into Holly's shoulder before and after that day too. Fabian hadn't. He'd kept a stiff upper lip. Dry eyes.

And now it was his turn. His turn to sob.