And yet, I have a feeling you'll find more than enough satisfication in saying it regardless.

[ Which is fine because, should that day arrive, he will welcome the opportunity for Yuri to say any and all versions of "I told you so.". He'll have earned it.

There a reason why he answers every question with utter honestly, after all, no matter how revealing. It's... embarrassing to be so upfront with the nature of his weaknesses, but it's also the least he can offer. Whether out of compassion, friendship, or scientific curiosity, this is goal Yuri's decided to work towards. Dimitri won't add to the difficulty of the task.

So, when the time comes, he accepts the offered bottle without hesitation or dubiousness. ]

Thank you. But unfortunately, I will have to decline your second offer. Indulging in alcohol has never proven an effective solution in the past, and I see no reason why that would have changed.

[ In the end, sleep alone isn't enough. It has to be restful, refreshing. And, preferably, without the side effects of loosening his grip on reality and making the dead ever more challenging to ignore. ]

This, however... I have higher hopes for. [ Not high, mind you. But higher! ] Is it a single dose?