scythegun | week 7; tuesday

Yes, that is correct.

[ Duke's barely able to get the words out, and he's trying to keep from literally shutting down because he is afraid that, as far as he's concerned, he has burned the bridge of the person he is the closest to.

Regardless, he does his best to explain nonetheless. ]

I foolishly thought it was the only way to defeat the Adephagos. At the time, it was the only way I knew of, however...when Yuri and his comrades were able to detail me of another plan, I stubbornly thought of their plan as nonsensical because of it changing the Entelexia to "spirits". I had also thought my way was the only way to ensure the world was saved, and given the size of the Adephagos, whatever alternative that was proposed seemed ludicrous... as well as likely to be ineffective.

[He's quiet for a moment, considering that.]

So even if it meant a world without any humans at all... it was better than losing everything, ja?

[If Duke really thought there was no other option...]

Well, that certainly is a nasty little secret! Does Yuri already know about this?

Yes.

[ It was a good idea he at least changed his mind, but still. Duke had been kind of thinking this type of thing would never be revealed, so uh. ]

... And yes, he does. He asked for everything that occurred after Heracles, and so I told him relatively early on.

We did move on from that subject relatively quickly, however.

I'm not surprised, but I'm glad you've already told him about that.

[That'll make things a little easier on Duke, at least. Yeager tips his head a bit before finally shrugging.]

I can't say I agree, obviously, but everything turned out fine in the end. I doubt everyone here will taking hearing a secret like that well, so if anyone gives you any problems you come to me. I won't let anything happen to you, Duke.

[He's serious when he says it, of course.]

[ There are times where Duke knows why he does not take anything for granted, including the relationships of those close to him. That said, he probably should have mentioned this sooner... ]

I will, I promise you that.

[ He knows he'd do the same for Yeager in a heartbeat, and he knows he wishes that there is more he wishes to say. ]

Yeager, I'll always remain grateful for everything you have done. Even if it has just been continuing to remain by my side. I am not sure if there can ever be a way to express the entirety of this or how I feel in mere words, and yet...

I also wish for you to know that, regardless of whatever may happen, I will make sure that you are still with me by the end of this.

...Well, I won't lie to you, I'm not going to take this very well. It's a secret I've kept for ten years and I... I'm not ready to share it with anyone just yet. I've made two exceptions so far here. One of those was necessary, the other... not as much. Still, it was my decision to do that. This isn't. It's... difficult, I suppose.

[He reaches up to play with his bangs for a moment before he forces himself to stop.]

Your secret is terrible too - even worse than mine, really. But we'll stand together, ja? I won't let this break me, not when I've made it through everything else. I have to return home to Droite and Gauche.

Indeed, it is. The plan for myself to reveal such a thing was non-existent as well. It only happened once before now...but I did not exactly intend to do so in the first place.

[ It just sort of...happened. Kinda like how Duke's murderplot did-- nothing quite goes as planned. He's sure Yeager can understand the feeling.

It also helps that knowing Yeager also does not want his secret revealed (he already knew this, but still), and he's suddenly gathering up words he is a little unsure of still, but wishes to believe in. ]

... I do not know how the others will react exactly, but I don't have any delusions they will be favorable. Yet, if you are here with me, it is enough, and I know that it is not the end. We will make it. It will be enough, and soon, once we arrive home, we can ...

...

[ He makes a small pause and he reaches his hand out to Yeager. It's not like he doesn't want to finish, but it's more like he doesn't know how. ]

[Yeager doesn't answer right away but he does take Duke's hand the moment it's offered. He's definitely calmed down by now and when he finally manages to look at Duke again he actually has the usual confidence back. The over-the-top cheer isn't present, but that's only because his smile is genuine.]

Once we arrive home we're going to have quite a few things to figure out, ja? Will we be in your timeline or mine or Yuri's? Once we've determined that we can work out how to proceed - I'll have plenty to attend to no matter what, but I'd like it if you accompanied me. If you don't have anything pressing to do, that is!

[Concrete goals are always better than vague statements in his opinion, and focusing on the things he should do when he returns home makes all of this a lot easier. It makes it seem like they really will get out of here at some point. He can at least try to offer Duke that much.]

[ Duke's always felt like it was a privilege to see any of Yeager's real, genuine smile, and he's glad when the man takes his hand... which, doing so (holding hands, that is) felt natural at this point. Even if he is not entirely sure why. ]

... My own, if that is alright. However, if you wish to return to your own, or Yuri's, I will still gladly accompany you on the way there.

[ So far them saying they will go home and come out of it alive has worked out well enough so far. Why not this? ]

It would be good to return to a world where we don't have to worry about the Adephagos. But... There are plenty of things I wish I could avoid. If I could return to my version of Terca Lumireis, my daughters would never have to deal with my death. I suppose I went missing and they can't be taking that well, but that's easier than coming back from the dead, ja?

[He shakes his head after a moment though; the smile hasn't faded at all.]

But it doesn't matter which version of Terca Lumireis we end up in. I can work with whatever I'm given and having a chance to return is... well, it means a lot to me.

[He's made a lot of mistakes but he's still alive and that has to count for something.]

I don't want to return without you and Yuri. It wouldn't feel right, ja? So whatever we decide... I believe we should decide together.

[ Duke thinks for a moment on this. He has done all he has needed to have settled within his own world, and so, in essence, he does not to be so concerned with returning. After considering Yeager's words, he comes to the quick conclusion that he'd be fine with either world, with possibly deferring to the other man's preference. ]

Very well. It's a reasonable conclusion to make.

I suppose that when we all gather to decide, it should be relatively sooner than later... if possible.

[ ... Saying so because Duke does not know the 'when' part would happen otherwise. It is odd, planning for things like this. ]

Ja, we should determine this when we can. It's... something to keep in mind. I know I need something to help me keep going, after all!

[Duke and Top Dollar are great and they've been keeping him sane, but he wouldn't have made it this far if he ever stopped to consider that he couldn't go home. They might not make it out of here - that's a possibility he's only briefly considered and stopping to think about it now will only break him. The only way for him to survive is to keep moving and assume that everything will work out, somehow.]

It's strange to think about. No matter where we end up going, two of us are going to be feeling very odd in the world. If we go to yours, Yuri and I will have a lot to catch up on. If we go to his, you and I will have to relive experiences. I still don't know how it's possible for them to pull us from different points in time.

[And it's kind of strange to think about too. Does that mean that Duke's world has a different Yuri?]

I understand.

[ ... To both things. Duke knows for sure if he looked at things from a pessimistic angle, then that would be all he needed to spiral out of control. What he had done with Tarquaron was because he was too cynical and pessimistic of anything else working out in the first place. It seems like remaining optimistic was key... ]

I am not sure either... and I am also not sure if I would be able to comprehend it even if an explanation somehow managed to make itself apparent along the way.

[ He takes a small pause. Does he want to relive experiences? He just ... makes a sort of face at that (kind of like he doesn't know what expression to pick but it is possibly closest to 'unsure'). ]

[Oh my god, look at that face.]

Don't worry too much about it right now, ja? We still have plenty of things to work through first!

[Like whatever mess will happen at the end of this week (yikes) and the aftermath of the secrets reveal (yikes)... Not to mention whatever happens next week...]

[ ... So many factors there was to worry about were already present, and so he simply winds up nodding. His face resumes close to a normal expression.

At the very least they had discussed matters of pertinence. ]

... That is true.

We'll make it through this. And hopefully Yuri won't die of his injuries!

[Well, he could only be serious for so long...]

[ Just... this face. ]

I do not see that happening unless he does something incredibly foolish.

Well, he has been difficult about changing his bandages...! But it was only a joke!

[Because he can't actually be nice to Yuri for five seconds even behind closed doors. It's Difficult, Duke. You wouldn't understand!!!!!!]

...I had been beginning to wonder when you may tell another.

[ Okay, not really, but. ]

It really is strange to hear me be serious for so long, ja? Don't worry, my incredible sense of humor hasn't failed me yet!

[you literally just joked about yuri dying what part of that is incredible]

... Until now.

[ Duke is being the number one critic of Yeager's lovely sense of humor again. ]

[FUCKIN' DESTROYED]

Well, I suppose I might have deserved that one.

Yes, you certainly did.

[ For some reason, this is where may Duke find his amusement here, and he raises a hand (his free one) to cover his mouth, because he is almost tempted to laugh. ]

Oh come on, I wasn't even trying, then! I can't make you laugh with terrible jokes about death but I can with admitting that it was over the line? That is completely unfair!

[HE'S ALSO TRYING REALLY HARD NOT TO LAUGH.]

Yeager...

[ He lowers the hand, albeit in a slow, hesitating manner that lends towards a sense of bashfulness, even though there's the small smile clearly on his face. ]

...I suppose that is just how it is.

week 7; tuesday

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