kayakking | (no subject)

[He blinks at him confused. Congratulations....?

Oh.

He looks down at the ring, his everything going a bit soft.]

Thank you...

Do you both have one?

No, he. [Sigh. It's all fond though.] He only got mine and his own on layaway.

Oh, if he'd asked me-

[Martin shuts his mouth suddenly, and his expression goes dark.]

Now that I don't have to pay for a home, I...have some extra.

...That's sweet of you Martin. You don't have to, I have a few ideas.

I'd like to. Consider it a gift?

...Let's talk to Algric about it?

Alright.

[smiling softly, Martin places a reassuring hand at Jonah's elbow.]

...I'm happy for you.

...Thank you, Martin.

Give your Jon some time. He'll come around too.

I-

[HOW DARE YOU JONAH. catching him off-guard like that. Martin nearly dies on the spot.]

It's okay, I, ah. I-it's early days, and I'm not- I don't. Erm. Expect...anything like that...

[but he wants it]

But you want it.

[He glances down at his ring again. Awed.]

He'll get there. He'd have to be an idiot.

Don't peek in my head.

I didn't have to.

Th-then. Then fine. So I want it. B-but it's stupid.

It isn't. It isn't at all.

We've only just started, and it's the only good relationship I've ever had, so what if it doesn't work out? What if it doesn't end up like you two? What if I screw everything up somehow? I could do so many things wrong!

So could he.

But. I have it on very good authority he's trying to make a proper go of things himself.

[resolutely:] He could never.

He's trying.

No, I mean- He could never screw up.

You say that...

[You know what, he's not going to finish that thought. That way leads to sowing seeds of doubt and he doesn't want to do that to their younger selves.]

I know he'll do right by you.

[Martin turns to look back at Jon with the most loving, soppy expression.]

He already does.

...It's likely going to get hard for him after he's done. So...

Probably don't have to say it, but stick by him.

...No, you don't have to say.

[he falls into a pained silence.]

I won't leave him unless he gets sick of me and swats me away with his cane.

He'll need you. A lot more than he probably thinks right now.

He's lucky he has you.