He wondered after the simple reply that he had just received, considering it slowly. Was that to say that any question that he asked after when it came to Yuri's life and well-being? 'I'm fine', would be the answer for all of his questions?

Did he had a right to ask after Yuri's life anymore? He supposed that he didn't after what he had done, how far he had fallen. Yet, if he let Yuri go without Origa there to support him, he knew that he would spiral back into that black hole that swallowed him when his powers had disappeared. He was better off dead than sinking alone in that mind space. Perhaps Yuri would have to end him again.

"I need nothing," he murmured in resignation. He deserved the pain; it allowed him to know he was still alive and kept him from reaching for a drink.

"However," he said, sounding stronger and little more like his old self, "no matter what I've done, no matter how much I hurt you and your mother, no matter how much I regret certain actions... I will always be your father, Yuri." He hesitated; how long had it been since he had spoken to his son like this? He had to take the risk. "I'm... glad to see that you've grown up looking so strong."