For a minute or so, Zechs couldn't bring himself to answer his lover, and merely held him, cherishing the moment. Tyki felt so fragile to him. It was clear he was still recovering from his injury. A voice of reason within his mind wondered if Hakuba was right after all - if the Earl was making his lover stay in bed, not keep him captive. Emotions still swirled within him, made his throat tight.

But he didn't view himself to be a coward, and couldn't lie to Tyki. Even ... His hands tightened in the man's shirt. Even if his lover would be furious with him. Refuse to speak with him after this. Especially since his actions had been useless. There was nothing he had done to help Tyki at all.

That indefinable emotion in his voice, Zechs explained at last, "I did not know if you were alive or dead. Then, I was told you eventually lived and were sane, yet did not return, and ..." Zechs took a deep breath, steadying himself. "I ... I built it. It was the only tool I could conceive which could give me the power to assist your person."

He was going to say more, but paused again, feeling the anger at the loss of ZERO flare up inside of him again.