The laugh is terrifying. It suggests that Rook is barely holding on and Emmrich worries. He pushes off the wall and comes over, choosing to try physical contact again. Emmrich starts at his love's shoulders, pushing his thumbs into the worst of the many, many knots he could instantly feel.

"I can't think of mistakes you've been repeating. What is it that weighs heaviest?"

If they lose Rook now, if he loses Rook now... No. He can't think like that.