[It's a lot to bear, and focused only on Yuan. He grimaces, bowing his head to rest against Kratos's shoulder and tightening his own grip faintly. There has been worse: this is not Yuan's despair.]

[But it does mean he has no presence of mind to devote to the others, save for knowing he owes Botta more than can really be repaid.]

[No is the first cogent thing Yuan manages to project back. Don't give up. I will wait here as long as it takes you, but I will not end it. It's a promise both of them should know he can and will keep, between stubbornness and lifespan.]

[And it's still wrong, so very wrong, for someone who was always so unshakeable to be trembling in his arms-- but then everything has been wrong for a very long time. Endurance has occasionally felt like all they have.]

[In the hallway, Raine is a low murmur before a brisk announcement.]

I'm going to make some tea.

[There's the sound of Genis's panic being very abruptly redirected, and the number of people in the hall lessens.]

[Yuan lets his breath out slowly, remembering breathing even though it would be very easy to ignore, and runs his hand down Kratos's back, a long gentle touch to draw his attention outward.]