[FIN] Try to Breathe

[Suudonym]

The response did little to quench the persisting bitterness. It invalidated his own feelings. He had cared about his brother. They hadn't gotten along perfectly, but they argued less and less, become slightly closer to existing as family in broader terms than blood. The fact that that had all been taken away because someone else had cared about him more than about his brother was just about infuriating. Without offering reply, Luke seated himself with his back to a tree and his arms on his knees, keeping his attention from Yuri.  

[BlackPidgeot]

He couldn't blame Luke for being mad, and if he wanted to be angry at him or even hate him, that was okay.

"Being stubborn must run in the family," Yuri muttered. "It's what he wanted to do."

There hadn't been any magic solution that would have allowed them both to live.  

[Suudonym]

"There's no way he wanted to die!" he said suddenly, defiantly. "Did you even try to convince him?!" From his understanding, he hadn't been hospitalized all that long before the compatible donor heart had become available. Even just one or two more days of waiting could have yielded a more viable solution.  

[BlackPidgeot]

Yuri's eyelids drooped slightly in thought as he reflected on that night. "No, he didn't. He told me that himself."

The man sighed, setting his food aside when he lost his appetite. Resting one arm over his knee.

"Yeah, I tried to talk him out of it. But he wanted to save his brother, and I respected him for that. Couldn't really stop him."  

[Suudonym]

"Damn it." It was plainly horrible. He was grateful to be alive, certainly, but he hated this feeling that the entire purpose of his life had culminated as a means to end Asch's. He shook his head briefly before laying it against his arms.  

[BlackPidgeot]

"He wasn't alone," Yuri spoke again after a few moments. Hoping that might be of some comfort to Luke. It was sad and pathetic really... that the only person Asch had to go to was someone like him. A stranger he barely knew.

"He also said... 'Don't let that idiot blame himself'."  

[Suudonym]

Easier said than done. Luke knew better than to contest the words, though; it would only lead to frustration as he disagreed with all evidence laid before him. The simple truth was that he had made his decision in the warehouse, and his brother had suffered the consequence of that decision.  

[BlackPidgeot]

Yuri knew all too well it was easier said than done.

There was silence for some time, until Yuri moved from his spot to put his dishes away to be cleaned in the morning.

"I'm going to get some sleep. You should too, and there's food there if you want any." But really, he didn't have much hope for the boy to do either. But he wouldn't press the issue tonight. His own underlying feelings of guilt bothering him as it was.

With his sword close beside him, and Repede remaining watchful, Yuri got himself comfortable before pausing once more.

"You were worth it Luke, whether you believe it or not. Your brother thought so."

And with those words, Yuri turned over and tried to get some sleep.  

[Suudonym]

Luke indeed had no appetite to eat anything and wasn't particularly interested in sleeping. He gave no response to Yuri's words, remaining unmoving. He knew Asch's wishes, could even begin to accept them, but he couldn't shake the burden of fault regardless of any logic.