She regretted her teasing words for the briefest of moments when his dark brown eyes filled up with tears. Rarely did Antonin allow anyone, his wife included, see him in such a vulnerable state. He opened his mouth to speak and immediately closed it before a single sound came out. Emotional and overcome, when he finally could speak, the words didn't come out easily and he had to stop to rub his eyes. When he was ready, he spoke in a whisper, all he was able to manage.