kayakking | (no subject)

[It's just this face, really.]

.... Come off it.

Nnno, you come off it.

[It's not the FULL FIGHT TONE, but it is getting into that obstinately stubborn range. He... settles back and opens his hands, tone getting milder.]

This is your place as long as you want it.

[Jon feels like he's getting ready for a fight. But just as soon as he's puffing himself up to be ready, Tim backs it down. It's easy to settle down again at that.]

...Thank you, Tim.

[It's too nice, right now, to push into it. And Tim's been keeping a close hold on that temper.

And... well... today being the day it is.]

You're welcome.

I mean, [Quirk of a smile.] in both senses.

Of course.

[He gives a little shove of shoulders.]

What do you need me to do before I, um. Do it?

[The shove gets a grin and he gamely falls back into the cushions.

Once there though, he stares up at the ceiling.]

Are we talking pratical or emotional, here?

Either? Both?

Practical first, I guess. That's the easy bit.

Your NHS number, probably? Passwords too, until we get everything settled. Have you worked out the story?

Right, of course. I'll get those for you and the Martins.

[The story though... He rubs his mouth a bit.]

Home accident. Spilled bleach and couldn't get safely where I could rinse it out.

Yeah, that'll do it.

[God, there really is no NOT terrible way to do this, is there?]

[There really isn't.]

Figure that's halfway believable.

It.. yeah. Plenty of panic around that.

[Speaking of..] We're not going to be doing that delay bit, though. Right? Deed done, 999 punched right in.

... Maybe just a few minutes to make sure it sticks.

[God.]

You're SURE?

If I'm going to try to get out, I want to be certain it'll last.

Right. Right.

God, that answer if you're sure about all of it, right and clear.

...I'm sorry, Tim. It's... probably going to be a mess.

You don't need to apologize. Just..

I promise. As little as possible is going to change, okay?

...Big promise.

[He takes a deep breath, looking to the others again, the lights and decorations.]

I'll do my best to make it as easy as I can.

There is the 'as possible' in there.

[Some parts were going to change no matter how much anyone tried... But others.]

You just work on adjusting.

[Right.

They're all planning on how to stop Elias and these rituals, how to keep everyone safe and he just. Has to settle for adjusting to a new way of living. He knows he's helping by no longer being a piece on the board, but he can't help the sting of feeling useless.]

Right. I'll focus on that.

[Tim can hardly see the fine points of what's scrolling through Jon's head, but he can see The Look. Those little deflations before Jon sharpens back up into an Idea.

A little lean.]

And soaking up so much attention I'm going to be jealous.

And you know how much I would hate that.

Completely loathe it, I'm sure.