kayakking | (no subject)

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?

To put by the door so we don't lose them?

[ Algric just. Takes in a breath. Calm down, it's fine... ]

Okay, okay ...

[Jonah watches him for another second before going. Passes right by the front foyer and goes straight to their room to get some fresh clothes to change into. Stopping here and there to look at himself in the mirror at the new scars, hours fresh, and sighs.

Then back to the front door ready to leave, stopping to make sure he has both sets of keys.]

[ Algric frets back and forth for a bit while he does that. Trying to give Jonah space, but not wanting to get in Tim's way either, and - and -

And Jonah's at the door. Relax, he's not leaving. He's not leaving, right? But he looks like... ]

Jon?

[He pauses, fixing the cuff of his sleeve now in proper clothes. Glances over his shoulder.]

Algric.

I - um - tea is ready? Are we going to sit down together...?

Are we?

Because if it's going to be me being yelled at some more, than I'd rather take a walk.

[ Algric lowers his eyes. ]

I won’t yell. I promise.

... All right.

[Tim hasn't exactly had his round yet, so as much as Jonah isn't looking forward to it, it's only fair.]

And - and I did make tea. Let me get you a cup?

[ And well, Tim is already in the kitchen. The bad arm is wrapped up in ice packs from the freezer and wrapped in tea towels. It sits on his lap below the table. And... his own mug of tea is generally untouched, he's focusing entirely on his phone. ]

[Jonah hesitates in the doorway, but. He did say he'd sit. And seeing Tim sends a stone of guilt through his insides before he sits at his abandoned mug from earlier.]

So. Um. [God. What does he even say.] It, um. I-it's over and done with.

Yyyyyeeeppppp. Yep it definitely is.

[ He lifts his gaze from the phone and looks up at Jonah, hesitant and guilty and everything with it. Also the orchestrator of his own problems...

Just this sharp contrast from Jon who has pulled away, cut himself off, and made good on this insane turn on their lives... From the Jon he knew, it really seemed like Algric's 'I KNOW HIM HE'S A MENACE TO HIMSELF' was overblown... until now. ]

I got a couple questions.