the breath in my lungs

you trace my lines, stirring my soul

He couldn't have loved Ronin more in that moment. The hunter had every right to pull away, to at least be horrified at what Remi was saying if only for a moment. That he instead drew him closer, the bond between them just as secure as it was before Remi's death-count dramatically increased, was more of a gift than he could have ever expressed. Indeed, reaching for one of Ronin's hands and dragging it against his chest was a poor way of expressing his appreciation, but it was the best he could do in the moment.

"Let them go easily then.." Remi murmured, thinking on it. "Had I the power to take away pain I would have done so. Their panic as well. But illusion magic is just that." Tugging in a breath, Remi hummed an almost amused sound. "Perhaps I'll just ask Ludo for a bit of a magical boost." Remi was only partially kidding. "At first I thought of them not unlike animals...where fear would just spoil the meat and so death must be quick and concealed. But had you died that way...had Safrin just whisked you off before you even knew what happened.." The alchemist's body tensed and he bit the inside of his lip to keep his voice steady. "...that would not have saved you, or me for that matter, any pain. I wonder then if you're right. Slow, but with understanding..if that isn't a better way to go."

THE ALCHEMIST