kayakking | (no subject)

[The nearly imperceptible greens in his shadows are coming out now like a new bruise, soft handprints on his face, his chin, his lips. But Jonah is trying to hold it together, trying to stay together - but the hands around him and down his back send him nearly crumpling. Especially when he feels that chill, and the sudden ice piercing into his bad shoulder is almost too much as it runs through the new crack there.

He can't get his eyes to focus just yet, the fog disorienting him, but.]

You lied to me.

[ The fog ... solidifies a little. Both Tim and Jon will find that they can focus on him, if they want to; the fog is distinctly-Algric shaped now. Just. Utterly colourless, his sharpest features blurred to nothing and nobody. ]

Jon. Please. I did it for your own good. This - this was enough of a mess already.

[ He reaches out a hand - hesitates. Looks at Tim. ]

Tim didn't know.

No shit I didn't know.

[The bottom falls out of his stomach hearing that.

It was intentional.

The tears are still down his face, but now angry and hot as he tries to get out of Tim's arms to get at whatever he can see of Algric.]

You promised me! It was the only thing I asked!

[ Algric is there. Faint, but distinct. Not leaving or hiding just yet. ]

Jon, we've just done something horrible. Can't this wait until we're sure you're all right?

[ He reaches out at last, moving to lay a hand on Jonah's good shoulder. ]

[At the touch, he brushes Algric's hand off. Then nearly tries to grab at that arm, but can't find purchase.]

We rid the world of a monster, but you - You lied to me.

[ No. Jonah's hand just slides off Algric. Or through, if he finds a particularly bad part.

Algric makes a frustrated noise ]

Yes! Fine! I did lie to you! Given what happened here, I'd say it was completely justified!

I trusted you!

If you really trusted me, then why are you here?

Because you lied to me!

That's not an argument, Jon! If you'd trusted me, you'd be safe. T-Tim and I would have killed Elias without all - all this spider shite, and we could be yelling about this at home! With none of us hurt!

[Jonah's eyes are still flaring with anger before he sinks down, clinging to Tim. Lowers his voice to forced even.]

If you hadn't broken your promise, I would still be home. I will never forgive you.

No. No, you wouldn't be home. I know you, Jon. You'd have given us ten minutes and then followed us anyway.

[ His own voice lowers into something miserable, especially at that last part. Never forgive you. Never forgive you. After everything that's happened, he believes it. ]

Well, we don't get to know that. Because you decided to try and hide something from the patron god of 'Well, Actually'. And god, Jon, you COULD have stayed home and won every argument until the end of time on the sheer I TOLD YOU SO from this.

[ He shakes a little. ] Instead. We're ALL here.

[Jonah had intended to stay home.

He wanted to, until he found out the truth.

But he'll always wonder now. Was it really his decision that he came? Was it going to happen no matter what?

Jonah will never know.

He slumps a bit more, hearing Tim. What does it matter.]

We are. And... Fine. [He takes a slow breath before pulling away from Tim, readjusting his shirt to keep the crack in his scar from being seen now. Up to his feet.] Fine, it's my fault.

[ UGH. Algric makes a face, instinctively wanting to protest THAT too. He also smoulders dimly in Tim's direction, though at least that isn't a surprise. He's ... sunk, isn't he. Worse, he deserves it, probably. ]

I'm not - I'm not saying it's your fault, I'm just - you can't be mad at me for trying to prevent the exact mess we ended up in!

Edited 2021-07-18 13:19 (UTC)

Look! Look. Lets argue this at home, and not in the middle of the five thousand tape recorders, closed caption tvs and whatever mastrabatory instruments Elias has in here.

Lets focus on the fact we have a lot of blood and a body, make sure we're all okay and then go home and yell at each other.

[ And oh, oh he's going to. ]

[Jonah has already moved on, looking over the body and the mess. His voice is just... quiet. And a little cracked.]

Take the body to Jarod. He... he can dispose of it. I can deal with the CCTV.

[ God damn it, he greatly prefers the yelling. It's worse yelling at a Jon who just crumples instead. And if Algric can't be angry, then ...

Then he's going to be guilty instead. He looks down at Elias's body, letting the fog creep over it. ]

I - I don't know if Jared is a good idea. Tim, can you. Ah. Burn it?

You know, a year ago if he was told he'd be burning the body of his boss's boss after ... good lord what even just happened?

"Yeah, I uh, I think so. You should both probably clear out." Control hasn't been the name of the game today.

[Something in his shoulders tense and he has to work his jaw a second to keep the words back.]

Whatever you like.

[Jonah looks down at his hands, then sets the letter opener carefully back on the desk before turning to leave without another word or look at them.]

[ Algric gives Jon a look at that. ]

He just means - look, the fire is new -

[ He exits after Jon. ]

[ Tim drags his fingers down his face, leaving unnoticed little furrows in the wax. He'll... he'll work that out in a few minutes. He takes a long, steadying breath, and the glass of water on Elias' desk starts to bubble... ]

[ Outside, Rosie pulls back from the door as Jonah comes out, pale and heart racing. ] Mr. Sims! Sir I...

[That-

Startles him enough to stop. And stare.]

Rosie, why are you here? You should've left hours ago. Go-go home. Forget all of this.

Mr. Bouchard was-

[ She looks at him, wide and watching. ]

Yes. Yes, I will.