[ Once he's sure that Haruto is still, even before he completely passes, Jae tries to cradle him close. He can't speak for fear of the floodgates opening, but he can be there in the former reaper's final moments. Even so, he can't stop the tears from flowing or the sorrow and grief that's currently invading his heart.

I'm sorry, please forgive me, you never deserved this.

He sits there, completely still save for his breathing and the tears that are still flowing, even as Taeseok lands behind him. But when he speaks, he doesn't bother turning around, voice hoarse and laced with a level of venom that even he didn't know he had: ]

And yet it feels like this could have been prevented. Why him. Why any if this. Haven't we been punished enough for our sins?

[ He knows that there isn't an easy answer for any of this. But that doesn't stop it from hurting, from him feeling his anger ready to burst at the seams again. ]

... Tell me, what do you plan to do with his body.