[i]	Even through the tears Jace still managed to chuckle slightly, but it only made him feel better for a moment. He clenched both of Basil's hands tightly as if he was going to disappear in front of him while they spoke to one another. He held onto him as if he was the only thing still anchoring him to this world.
	"I promise," he said, his voice cracking. "I promise I will try to live as happily to your expectations as I can...for the both of us." Finally, he looked up at him, staring intently. "No one will ever replace you. Not for as long as I live."
[/i]
	Jace bit his bottom lip as he stared at Basil while he gave the explanation and when he was finished, Jace shook his head in disbelief. "What the hell are you talking about? Who have you taken from? Would you just quit talking in riddles and tell me already? I've been with you for half your life and I've never seen you act this weird, even when you were lying on your death bed!" That last statement lingered in the air like a plague and he wished he hadn't said it at all. Suddenly, he grabbed him by the shirt collar and pulled him towards him, though gently. "You're freaking me out, Basil, and I don't like it. I think you owe an explanation. Please."