[A slight smile tugs at Nahyuta's lips despite himself, and he takes another deep, calming breath. Then, carefully, he reaches to return the hug. Here he was, intending to give Apollo some comfort, but it seems he was equally in need of it himself. Perhaps that was the real meaning of sharing one's burdens.]

... Thank you, Apollo. [He murmurs it barely above a whisper. It still hurts, but muted underneath all that raw grief being forced out of him, being close to Apollo like this reminds him of all those memories of their childhood together. He tries to hang onto that feeling -- onto Apollo -- to keep all this terrible sadness at bay.] I hope he watches over both of us, and all we accomplish together, with pride.

[Then he pulls back, just enough to rest his dragon-emblazoned hand on Apollo's shoulder, his expression growing more serious again.]

Just promise me one thing -- that you will not blame yourself for what happened.

[No one knows better than the Last Rites Prosecutor that guilt is a natural part of the grieving process. He feels his own fair share. But he does not want Apollo to have regrets forever, and he knows that's not what Dhurke ever wanted, either.]