Flynn was strong the entire time. He kept his shoulders squared, head held high, voice strong and unwavering; his eyes stayed bright and his skin looked flawless and his hair was kept the normal un-styled messiness he was known for. He was every perfect angle of the perfect, in-control Commandant. Of course, the inside wasn't as nicely organized as the outside, but Flynn kept it in the inside and kept himself in order as he continued his fevered search.

When it came to an end, he was strong. The report was received from the scouts, the rescue party was dispatched and he was with it. Thanks to Ba'ul they made it within hours to the reported spot. Flynn was stoic when they landed, disembarked and charged into the run down cottage.

He was strong even as the Princess Estellise shrieked in both joy and horror. He whispered encouraging words to her, helped her clean up the area and take a proper look at the gaunt, pale body.

When Yuri breathed, showed he was alive, Flynn was strong. When they saw the multiple wounds covered, the splints on all four limbs, he helped make sure they were clean and free of infection before allowing Estelle to use her power to close the cuts and set the bones and muscles. Flynn held Yuri's head carefully, tenderly, as she healed his broken neck and the massive gash at the back of his head.

When it was done, Flynn was the first one to walk out of the cottage. He was strong, stoic and a Commandant until he reached the nearest bush. Then he fell to his knees and vomited.

Raven was suddenly kneeling next to him, rubbing his back, and Flynn just felt worse. Even as he heaved, coughed up what little food he forced himself to consume on a daily basis, he only felt worse. Every cut on Yuri's body, every broken bone, every bruise… Flynn felt as if they littered his own body. It hurt to see them on Yuri, it hurt to watch them close up and be cleanly erased as if they never happened. It hurt because Flynn didn't stop them from occurring in the first place.

"It's okay." He heard Raven mutter to him, felt him pat his back. The man was just Captain Schwann in different clothing; he knew well what Flynn was experiencing. "You did good, kid. Now let it go. No one'll think twice."

Flynn had nothing left in his stomach to expel, and he tried to cough the vile, burning taste away. Wordlessly, Raven offered him a canteen of water, and it felt so good, so cold, that after Flynn washed his mouth out he drained the entire thing. Eventually he managed to get back to his feet and in disgust tried to kick dirt and grass over his stomach's contents splattered on the ground.

"Get in there." Raven spoke, hand held out to the cottage. "I'll hide the evidence."

"Thank you." Flynn's voice was hoarse, but nonetheless genuine. He staggered the first few steps, but soon he was talking straight and tall and proud like normal.

Looking back into the cottage he felt like turning around and throwing up again. He should have eaten a bigger breakfast.

"We should go back to Zaphias," Judith was saying when Flynn returned to the bedside. "If you'd like I can always stay here and see who his savior is and thank them for us."

Estelle made a small whine in protest, but Flynn was ready to go. "If you don't mind, Miss Judith," he cut in, making all eyes turn to him. "Perhaps Cap—Raven can stay with you?"

"Don't think I'm capable?" Judith asked, turning her head slightly and widening her eyes a tad.

Flynn managed a smile. "If the savior is less than amiable, he'll be there to make sure you don't go too far."

"I'll be very polite." Judith said with a smile, but doesn't outright object to the notion. Out of everyone, Raven was the least attached, and he would not fret as much to be separated from Yuri now. There was no way Flynn or Estelle could be asked to stay behind, and Rita and Karol were not the best at talking to strangers. "Take him home. Ba'ul will come back for us on his own."

Take him home. Suddenly Flynn felt his anxiety shoot through him and to the monstrosity in the sky. It was as if a switch was flipped, and soon he was ushering everyone aside so he could pick up the still unconscious Yuri in his arms and carry him carefully to the ship.

Flynn was admittedly unwilling to put Yuri down after once more having him near—almost afraid if he let go Yuri would just fall through the floor and away from him again. But Karol pushed him to the cabin of the ship and cleared a bed, forcing Flynn to hesitantly set the man upon the coverlets. Luckily, Yuri didn't just start to fall through the solid masses of the bed and ship, and Flynn properly braced him as Ba'ul lifted off and began the journey back to the capital.

As the ship eased and calmed Flynn knelt next to the bed, elbows resting on the mattress and hands clasped tightly, pressed to his lips. His eyes were glued on Yuri's face, even as Estelle joined him. Neither of them spoke outside mumbled greetings, and Flynn was too afraid to even look away. If Yuri stopped breathing for whatever reason… If something happened on the way home, Flynn was sure he'd never forgive himself, even if it weren't his fault.

No. It was his fault. This whole situation was his fault.

When they were dropped off at the capital, Flynn didn't look back as Ba'ul took off again. He held Yuri carefully and marched him home. Estelle tried to get him to change directions, to take him to the palace. But that wasn't home; only one place was home and it seemed only Flynn understood that. He only stopped when the denizens of the Lower Quarter saw them and approached, all obviously concerned.

It both warmed Flynn and tore his heart out of his chest. "He's okay." Flynn said after the questions dulled enough for him to speak over without raising his voice too high. "He's okay now. Sorry to trouble you all… please… let me put him in bed and I'll answer all your questions."

It took Hanks hollering at everyone, especially the worried children, for Flynn to make it through toward the inn. When he was a few steps away from the crowd, hearing them turn their questions to Estelle and the others, Flynn cradled Yuri closer. At least now… if something happened, and Yuri did pass on… he did it at home.

Don't think so stupidly. Flynn chastised himself as he went up the side stairs and, with a little difficulty, managed to open Yuri's door. He's healed. He'll wake up and pretend nothing happened, pick an argument, then apologize in private and…

Flynn carefully set Yuri on his bed, making sure his body was aligned properly and comfortably. He told the people he would go down to see them… but Estelle wasn't here. He couldn't just leave Yuri alone. He glanced out the window, and the first one to notice him looking was Hanks. The old man smiled, waved, and then turned to walk back to his home. Flynn wasn't too sure what to think.

Estelle did come up eventually, along with Karol and Rita. "We explained most of what happened." Estelle said hesitantly. "Flynn… are you okay?"

"I'm… fine." He said haltingly. "I…" He wanted to stay. More than anything he wanted to stay here with Yuri and welcome him back first. Wasn't it his right as best friend? Flynn turned his eyes to the ground. He was Commandant now… he had to go report. Lead the Knights.

Forget the fact he just regained his closest friend after days of thinking he lost him forever.

"I'll talk to Ioder." Estelle's voice snapped Flynn back and he jolted, armor jingling. "You watch Yuri, okay?"

"B-but Lady Estellise…"

"If you go all the Knights will swarm you trying to give you report or something," Estelle said in her no-nonsense tone. "Rita, Karol, you should come with me."

"What?" Karol immediately questioned, looking at Estelle with slightly wide eyes. "Why?"

"Because she said so," Rita scowled, immediately making Karol cower back. "So march your butt out!"

"I'm going, I'm go—I said I was going!" Karol darted out of the room, Rita chasing not far behind.

Flynn was silent, even as the pair's footsteps thundered down the stairs and faded. He glanced aside, then back to Estelle, his voice quiet, "Is it that obvious…?"

"Yes." Estelle said honestly. "And if you went to the palace, you'd drive yourself crazy. You're prone to stress, Flynn. And… you should be here. Out of any of us, you should be…"

"I'm Commandant, Lady Estellise. I have to—"

"Yuri could have died!" her outburst immediately silenced Flynn, making him flinch at the words. "Even if we all believed he was alive somewhere… you saw him. He really could have died. You went weeks looking for him…" Estelle's eyes and tone softened. "You were so worried, Flynn… we all were. But you've known him all your life. Duty… shouldn't come before that. You can go one more day, can't you? The Knights will still be there tomorrow. I think Yuri will want to see you first anyway."

"Me…?" Flynn muttered, his eyes straying back to Yuri. "Why would he…"

"It's not your fault, Flynn." Estelle reached out, taking one of his hands in hers. It was slack, and she held it firmly. "Flynn, it really isn't."

"I wish I could turn off the feeling it was." Flynn admitted quietly, his eyes still on Yuri. "I was there… he always would say things about how I was better. But if I was better…" He finally looked to Estelle, his face twisted into a pained expression; it broke her heart to see it. "If I was better, why did he get hurt? I wanted to protect him…"

Estelle slowly clasped her hands together, pressed against her collar. "We all want to protect each other," she said softly. "And you can now, Flynn. Call me when he's awake… okay?"

Flynn nodded slightly, looking back to Yuri. Estelle wanted to say more, but she decided to just quietly leave. She opened the door, letting out a small hum of surprised when Repede sauntered into the room. He immediately went to his small bed, laying on it and glancing at Flynn. Feeling dismissed, Estelle left the room, closing the door behind her.

The Commandant pulled up a chair to the mattress, sitting on it and resting his elbows on his knees. A few minutes later, Repede stood up and went to him, resting his head on Flynn's thigh and letting out a soft whine. Absently Flynn rubbed between Repede's ears, and then looked down at the dog. Repede's eyes only held sympathy.

"Not even you blame me." Flynn said quietly, and Repede's ears perked up. "… Please, don't forgive me yet, then. If you cannot blame, do not forgive me…"

Repede whined again, rubbing his head against Flynn's palm. Silently Flynn resumed petting him lightly, eyes returning to Yuri's sleeping face and willing him to wake up.