If Alice is going to look vulnerable, it's probably best she do so in this other place beneath the comfort of a demon’s wing. She's seen him at his most vulnerable, she knows he can't judge her, but even moreso he cares for her, and is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure she's okay.

"I've got you," he breathes quietly, his wings unfolding again to flap brhind them, kicking up the sand around them until they're back on the train car, as if they've never left, his wings still tucked in the space they came from.

"Can you walk?" he asks, "To the private car, I mean. I can carry you if you're too shaky."