All the strain and confusion is making it hard for Rhys to tell what he's feeling, and his need to feed had mostly been walled off in a corner since he came to Norfinbury and lost his powers. While he's used to pangs, he's still not sure what he's feeling now and with everything else changed, he has no idea where to start.

It's probably the only reason he's keeping his shit together. That, and the fact that he's not cold.

"Don't see why they wouldn't. They took them for a reason, right? They always take them." He gives his best smile, even though he can't look at Gabriel's face, can't really comfort him beyond the touch he's already offering.

Unless he could wrap him in himself/in earth, ground him completely and let him be still for a while. It's a thought that makes him wonder, makes his heart under the layers of soil beat a little faster.