kayakking | (no subject)

[ Ah. Algric’s eyes drift down to his legs and fingers. ]

Do you remember being in some webbing…?

[He takes a moment to sip at his tea. It's too hot still but. It won't matter, not when he keeps his eyes down.]

No.

[A cocoon of webbing, keeping him down and wrapped up tight...]

[ Algric hesitates at that. wants to be relieved? But... ]

A-are you sure? I'm - I'm really glad if so, I just ...

Does it matter?

[If anything, his voice sounds more tired than angry.]

[ That's almost worse? No, it is worse. ]

Of course it does. I don't want you hurt, Jon.

That's something you should have thought about before.

[ Ah. Algric flinches at that. ]

I - I know I promised, but it really was safer for you to stay home--!

I don't disagree.

[He takes a breath, another sip. But his tone is becoming firm. He's already tired of this.]

But the deal was you promised to tell me when you left, and I stay behind. You broke your promise.

Well -

[ There's a flicker of heat under the cold somewhere. ]

Well you didn't hold up your end of the deal either, so doesn't that even it out?

No. No. [He finally turns to face him, trying to keep that anger in check.]

When you broke your promise, there was no deal anymore.

That doesn't mean you should have come to the Institute! I needed you to be safe!

And I needed to know you both weren't dead!

You could have Known that from here, Jon!

Not if it happened in the Tunnels! I can't- I can't See in there.

That -

[ Ugh. Algric rubs at his face. ]

That's true. Yes. But. If you're going to yell at me for not trusting you, then - then I get to do the same for you not trusting us.

I trusted you to keep your promise. We see how far that went.

[ Another small flinch. ]

Jon, I - I'm sorry, all right?

Are you? Do you actually mean that?

[ Algric opens his mouth to try to pivot, to focus more on if Jon is still injured -

But the compulsion locks him in place, tears the words from his mouth. ]

I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it meant protecting you from yourself.

[Jonah stares at him, silently processing the words and what they mean-

Then clenches his jaw and leaves his mug on the table, tucking the Institute keys into his pocket as he makes to leave the kitchen.]

Then I think this conversation is over.

Jon -

[ The compulsion still burns in him; he chokes on it a little. ]

Please. Please don't go straight back. You can be angry at me, but you should - you should at least talk to Tim. Please?

About what? That you tricked him too? That he's ready to yell at me as well? Or that we have to come up with some story of what happened to Elias? What you two plan to do with the Institute now?

There's a lot to talk about and not much time to do it in.

That's all the more reason to stay, then. God, please, just - stay here.

[Jonah stares at him a second too long, then gestures with one hand.]

I was just going to the restroom to change.

With Elias's keys, Jon?