Page 125 of Dragon 7

Aki’s eyes were open.

“N-no.” I almost crumpled to the floor, barely able to hold myself up. “N-no way. He’s. . .got to be okay.”

Yet, Aki looked up at the ceiling and saw nothing in this world. Those eyes were dark, still, and vacant. I had seen enough dead men's eyes in enough bad rooms to know them across any distance in any light.

“What the fuck happened?” Kenji headed over.

In a blur, Yuki quickly pulled out his gun and pointed at Kenji. “Stay right there. I’ve got him. I know what to do. . .no. . .one touches him.”

Kenji stopped. “What are you doing?”

“H-he’s not gone.” Tears left Yuki’s face. “D-don’t touch him.”

I held my hands out. “Let us check, Yuki.”

“N-no! Nobody touches him. He’s cold and. . .he’s not. . .”

I shivered. “What?”

“He’s still, but. . .” Yuki looked at me and more tears left his eyes. “Does that mean he’s gone?”

Kenji held up his hands. “No. Let me come over and check—”

“No, you stay right there.” The gun shook in Yuki’s hand. “I know my brother. I know him.”

“You do.” I nodded.

“He’s gone.” Yuki’s face twisted into agony and his voice cracked. “He said he wouldn’t leave me!!!”

“Yuki, wait.” I tried to step forward.

He shot in front of my feet and intentionally missed me, but it was a clear warning to stay away.

Yuki shook his head. “W-what do I do now?”

Kenji’s voice went calm. “Let us help you.”

“W-who am I without him?” Yuki leaned his head against Aki’s and sobbed. “Who am I?!”

“A lot.” I trembled more than I had all night. The war didn’t scare me as much as this moment. “You’re everything, Yuki. Everything. And. . .I love you. I need you. Give me the gun. Everything is going to be okay. Just give me the gun. We’ll do this together like we always do—”

“But Aki—”

“Aki would want you to give me the gun. . .” I shivered. “Please. Please, Yuki. . .”

For several silent seconds, Yuki held his brother against his chest and rocked him.

And I knew that he was the twin that always did that. Yuki was the one to console, even when they were young. He would always put his tiny hand over his brother’s and soothe him back to peace.

The plane’s engine purred.

Reo came out of the cabin, saw Yuki rocking Aki, and stopped. “No. When did that fucking happen?”

“Yuki.” My whole body trembled. “I’m coming over. Okay?”

“Okay, Hiro.” Yuki wiped a few tears away and kissed Aki’s cheek.

Then he reached down and placed his hand over Aki's.