I still will. No matter how deep you go into this thing you need, or how far you run in search of your death— [ He runs his hand up, across the forefront of Gen's throat and into his dark hair, cradling the side of his face as he finds those equally dark, hopeless eyes. ] You will always find me there for you. Now, and in the end.

[ Gen may think this is an offer he could make to just anyone, perhaps even to another soul — someone more deserving, who could make it out of the mire he was choosing to belong to — but, there is nothing more personal to him than making such a vow directly to Minegishi Gen. In this moment, in this way.]

I did find you, though. I came to Kenos, one way or another, and I found you. Against all possibility, against all odds. And I will always find you again.

[ The dark, cool thing inside of him swells. It surges to the surface where he presses himself to Gen, points of contact like biting ice — the desert at night, with beasts howling like haunted things into the starless sky, frozen and calm and waiting. Waiting for the sun to rise again. ]

I think you are the most painful thing I have ever known, Gen. I am so grateful you exist. I truly do treasure you.

[ There is a contradiction in those words, for how could anyone find a reason to be grateful for misery and pain? For a sorrowful, angry boy who seeks oblivion to belong somewhere, and asks of Set to deliver him to that place. How can anyone treasure a moment like this? A boy like Gen?

But, he does. It is irrefutable, as Set draws their clutched hands to his mouth and clasps Gen tightly to him — exhaling, and bleeding the other half of his heart out, for him alone. And with it, he passes Zenith into him — a sound like goodbye, and anotjer sound. Faint, but true: hello. ]

Go be where you belong. Know, I will always, always think of you as mine.