[ It's the mention of Ilus as much as the gentle pressure against his hand that seems to tip the frozen balance and set Michel in motion again. How much does it hurt Ganymede to recall his brother right now, with those memories so fresh? Michel's fingers flex a little against Ganymede's, holding on more firmly as he finally completes the arc of the other hand to slide it through Ganymede's hair and rest on his back again. ]

In your memory, he was... the way I imagined them as a child. Brave, and steadfast.

[ Standing firm to protect someone vulnerable. The way he had always seen Didier. To be able to be someone like that ideal image would have been a great honor, if Michel could have been that kind of person.

The memories are old, but too raw, clawed-over by seeing them again. With that body? Pathetic. You're sobbing again...

He closes his eyes, his jaw going tight as he wills himself to empty his thoughts. It's old. Long-gone. What Ganymede had gone through, then and now, seeing it again -- that's so much heavier. And yet Ganymede is still finding words of encouragement for him, warm enough that he can almost believe them. ]

Wanting things takes strength. That is... [ Is he calmer in the grips of his nightmares? He can feel his words starting to falter again the moment he tries to express it. His hand on Ganymede's back tightens a little in nervousness and frustration. ] Wanting... to leave the past behind, and looking towards the future i-is... incredibly courageous.

[ Terrifyingly strong. Terrifyingly honest, and bright. ]