“I know,” David said reassuringly, nodding his head. “Going out a hero. See? That's for all the times you've argued with me about being a hero.” Once again, he laughed emptily and swallowed thickly. Of course, he'd have gladly been wrong about that, if it meant that his brother could live. Not that he'd trade Rory or Eloise, but... he just wished, more than anything, that this wasn't happening. That things didn't have to be this way.
But he could say that if there was some way for them to trade places, he would. At least Elliot would have Rae and their kid to make the loss bearable.
“Don't know if I can be like you, man.” He'd never be as good a person as his brother was. “But I'll do what I can.” Whatever that meant. He wasn't sure he knew how to really be the best. Or to be like his brother. “I mean... you left a hell of a pair of shoes to fill, dude.” Meant as a joke and a compliment. He hoped that lightened the mood at least a little bit.
He looked at his brother when he opened his eyes. “Are you kidding?” he asked incredulously. “You were always true to yourself. Always. And you managed to make the best of life both before and after zombies... you didn't have to do anything to be worthy of being called a hero, dude. Just... being you is enough, you know? I know it sounds like shit right out of an afterschool special, but it's true,” he chuckled sadly again. “Besides, what kind of little brother would I be if I didn't look at you with at least a little bit of hero worship?” A halfhearted joke, but he hoped it got the message across.
Tears were coming out steadily now, but he nodded his head and gave a sad half-smile when Elliot mentioned all the trouble he gave. “Count on it. Rae and I will make sure he knows everything there is to know about his dad.” Because he'd never meet him face to face. Another painful stab to the heart.
Practice for now. If it meant that he would stay alive, a small part of David wished that they hadn't been reunited. “Yeah, I guess,” he agreed sadly. If Elliot had known how miserable he'd been then, maybe he wouldn't be saying that now.
David glanced over his shoulder, where Rae was looking at them with desperate, sad, tear-filled eyes. As much as he wanted to be selfish; to sit there with Elliot until the time came... he couldn't. She needed to say her goodbyes, too. “Do you want me to send Rae back? So you can... you know...” he reached his free hand up to wipe his eyes, trying to pull himself back together.