kayakking | (no subject)

...I'm not sure. I'm- There's a lot. And a lot of it I'll admit I'm a bit terrified of.

But then we have moments like this and it's... Worth the fear for now.

[Good lord, what a sentiment. He leans a little on the other man.]

If I'm a romantic, you're the softest man I know under all of those quills.

[Uugghhhhhh Tim.]

Only after being thoroughly tenderize by four years of almost dying.

Yeeaaaah that.

...

I'm really glad you're here. Right now, with us.

[He exhales deeply, smiling at him and the others.]

I am too. I wasn't sure at first but.. I'm glad I have the chance to stop it all before it gets worse.

I mean, that too.

[He lets out a deep breath and sinks a bit into the cushions. Jonah against him, the sights and smells of the holidays. The burble of conversation filling the house...]

I can't even imagine it. The situation you described. I mean, I can, but I can't.

... Hopefully you'll never have to. It's... Mind bogglingly huge in scope, and I think if I wasn't what I am, I wouldn't be able to properly comprehend it all.

Definitely working on that never.

[The plans were starting to come together, but seemed particularly fragile when he looked at them too long...]

Good.

[He can feel that though, the worry over plans. He lowers his voice.]

Algric told me about your plan.

[He looks up at Jonah's face, trying to read into it.]

Yeah? Good. [He looks back down and-]

... I don't want to lose this.

I don't either. [His tone is firm in that. He keeps his eyes ahead and not at Tim.]

He made a promise to me. To tell me when you both leave to... Do your plan.

I don't like it, Tim.

.. You have to admit it's practical, though.

There's a crucial factor missing.

Do you know how to get into the tunnels from outside the Institute?

Iiiii assume Algric does.

And if he doesn't?

I'm fine with the front door.

[Of course he is.]

You'd never get farther than the front desk.

You don't have anything to keep his gaze from finding you. You... [Sigh.] You need something he can't possibly tear his eyes away from.

I mean. I'm really okay with setting the place on fire.

You're probably not surprised to hear it's the first idea that comes to mind at the moment.

Since you're absolutely not suggesting bait.

Of course not.

A decoy is different.

I'm pretty sure we're quibbling semantics now.

If you want to just come with us? Sure. Okay, we can plan on that.

But inviting him to take a bite out of you? Are you absolutely sure you're going to be able to walk back out of that? Because if not, it's a NOPE.

[He's quiet for a minute, just watching the other three.]

Algric doesn't want me near it.

In which case, this should probably be a discussion for all three of us.

[Are you actually asking the other parent because Martin said no Jonah.]

[LISTEN!!!!

He does give a little tiny baby huff at that.]

He won't hear of it.

Ahhh, had a row over it?

Sort of. I was more angry at the thought you both planned to just... Leave and do it without saying anything.

Tim, if I lost either of you..

[His hands ball into fists against his trousers before relaxing.]

He at least promised to tell me when you leave.