( He'd blundered into it, allowing his guilt over Maiya's death, his disbelief in her presence, and his resignation to Irisviel's fate to colour his actions. He hadn't even considered himself into the equation, really, acting on an instinctive impulse to fulfill Maiya's needs. It's what he owed her, was it not? He'd always recognized she and Iri deserved far more than anything he could offer.
If it seemed like an overly sentimental gesture on his part... it's because it was. He'd grown relatively idle in his time here, in this new environment divorced from the war, and living with a boy who claimed to be his son. The unreality was not lost on him. )
Maiya.
( The words rasp from his throat as he remains here like this, gripping her tighter against him, hand slipping from her hair to her cheek. )
Iri would have wished for your happiness.
( It doesn't answer her question, but it's how he rationalized it in his mind. He hadn't the luxury to save either of them. So here, he'd do what he could to fulfill his beloved's wish. )
His accomplice in dumbassery.
If it seemed like an overly sentimental gesture on his part... it's because it was. He'd grown relatively idle in his time here, in this new environment divorced from the war, and living with a boy who claimed to be his son. The unreality was not lost on him. )
Maiya.
( The words rasp from his throat as he remains here like this, gripping her tighter against him, hand slipping from her hair to her cheek. )
Iri would have wished for your happiness.
( It doesn't answer her question, but it's how he rationalized it in his mind. He hadn't the luxury to save either of them. So here, he'd do what he could to fulfill his beloved's wish. )