Chapter 41: ┣┨̈/̈ No┨ΦounΔ•••
When they began to move on after Y'shtola and Urianger had vanished, he started to truly feel everyone's absence.
The doubt made the weight against his chest feel too much like panic and he stopped to look around for Thancred, to ask for help with calming down, only to remember the man was not there a split second after he did so. Alisaie's concern at his abrupt stop drew G'raha and Alphinaud's attention but he hoped his attempt to minimize the moment went unnoticed. It did absolutely nothing to asway any of their worry, though, and both Alisaie and Alphinaud took hold of his hands as G'raha took the lead. That, blessedly, seemed enough to soothe most of his doubt filled thoughts.
It did nothing for the pressure against his chest. Even as they wandered among the Omicron, searching eagerly for the next path forward like it would distract from the fact that only the four of them remained, he felt like he was coming undone.
All he had left were G'raha and the twins.
He felt oddly hyper aware of G'raha's behavior. It seemed too bright, too much, like the other was trying more for all their sakes than anything else, and then the bastard had the audacity to ask if he would get a part in the epic of Echo'a's journey. He knew it; in that moment he knew who was going to go next and he hated it. "You're not here to be part of some story," he had answered earnestly, vehemently, but all it gained him was a soft smile and a reassurance.
"Forgive me. Let there be no doubt that fame and glory could not be further from my mind." A wistful look filled G'raha's expression. "And yet…I would be lying if I said that I don't relish the thought of my name being spoken in the same breath as yours."
His tail gave a sharp flick as his ears flattened for the brief moment it took for him to cross the two measly steps to get the other within arm's reach. He covered the back of G'raha's neck with a hand and tugged the other gently forward until their foreheads touched. He knew the other was staring at him wide eyed but Echo'a couldn't bring himself to open his eyes and meet that gaze. "Not what I meant, you idiot," he muttered, grateful when G'raha's hands settled on his waist. "I will personally fight the world if anyone dares to omit your name from my tale. I don't even want there to be tales about me but if there are going to be, you are being included." The breath he sucked in shook. The weight on his chest was crushing. "You have to be. Just like the others." G'raha's hands moved to his back and he allowed himself to be pulled into a tight hug, shamelessly returning it as tightly as he could. He tucked his face into the crook of G'raha's neck, letting the other's scent settle the unease that was threatening to drown him. "No, you're here because I promised you, remember? Of joining me on my next adventure." His fingers curled more into G'raha's clothing. "You have no idea how happy I've been that you've been a part of it."
G'raha turned his face into Echo'a's hair, a hand cupping the crown of Echo'a's head. When G'raha finally managed to answer, the words warbled thick with emotions. "Thank you. I…" A puff of air filtered through his hair as G'raha huffed a laugh. "Thank you," was softer the second time, steadier.
And then, as if reality had nipped him a bit too hard, G'raha withdrew, clearing his throat. "Well, we had best get on with our task:" and, for a breath, G'raha's touch lingered on his arms before slipping away, "tracking down Sir, and understanding the nature of the emotion which bars our way!"