monsterhaus still idk

[eyediot]

we live here

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[eyediot]

Well. We've proven I can't stop you. So.

[he takes a breath, knowing that likely hurt as soon as it's out of his mouth. But instead, he hunches over, going back to trying to reach the statement he'd started an hour ago.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Oh. Oh yes. The temperature drops again, and for a moment it seems like Algric has simply ... left.

When he speaks again, his voice is very small. ]

I won't stay without your permission, Jon.

[eyediot]

Are you certain of that?

[Sorry, he just. He doesn't trust.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Colder. The pages of Jon's statement are sticking together now, and the mist in front of him is growing almost too faint to see. ]

... Just. Believe me. Please, Jon. If only about this specific thing.

[eyediot]

...Can I ask something else?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ He drags in a frigid, shivering breath. That's not any kind of trust. Jon is never going to trust him again, is he? And he deserves it. ]

Yes. Anything.

[ The misery is gone from his voice, replaced by numbness. ]

[eyediot]

[He doesn't need the Beholding to know how this is effecting Algric. He hates this, but... feelings don't exactly sooth the hurt, either.

He does, at least, try to keep his voice measured. Calm.]

What did you think would happen when I found out you lied?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Feelings don't undo what Algric has done. And being miserable doesn't entitle him to forgiveness either.

But he is miserable, and regretting every last bit of this entire situation. Starting with ever coming into Jon's sight in the first place. ]

I thought we'd fight. You'd be upset, but ... you'd realise my intentions were good, and you'd forgive me after a while. That ... seemed worth it, compared to the awful things that could have happened to you.

[eyediot]

[The things that did happen to him, Jonah thinks. He still isn't getting anywhere on this statement. Probably won't be able to eat so long as Algric is here so he sets it aside on the desk.

He looks around at the mist making it harder to see, but... Algric is all around, isn't he?]

I even told you I wouldn't forgive you if you did it. Those horrible things did happen to me, because you lied to me.

[curriculum_fictae]

I ... I made a mistake. I thought - I thought you wouldn't think to come after us if you didn't know we were gone.

[ His voice vibrates from all around Jon now. He doesn't seem to care enough to make himself exist at a finite point. ]

I thought you'd forgive me anyway. That we could work it out, but - but that you needed to live first.

[eyediot]

I was going to live, I was in no danger until you broke your promise.

I didn't- I had no way to know how long you both had been in the tunnels since I don't know when you left. and I even kept my promise not to See anything about either of you.

[He trusted so implicitly. The Eye drinks his paranoia up, like an old vintage.]

[curriculum_fictae]

I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I was wrong on - on so many levels, Jon.

[ The mist starts to recede and fade again. ]

I'll go. All right? I'll just - I'll go.

[eyediot]

[Shit. He isn't making this any better, and he's hurting Algric in turn. That isn't what he wants. But he can't simply move past this either.

He stands, reaching one hand out to whatever is left of the mist.]

Martin - wait, I. I do. I do want you here.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ The mist leaks through his fingers, insubstantial; he can't get a grip on it. Instead, frost coats his hand. ​]

No. No, you don't. You - you don't want to forgive me, and that's your right. I've hurt you too badly.

[ A quiet, miserable noise. ]

But - but if there's no chance, and no path back, and I'm only hurting you by being here, I ... what is the point of me staying, Jon?

[eyediot]

The point is that I do want you here.

It's - People hurt each other, Martin. It's. It's part of being human, it's part of caring about others. I hurt our Tim so badly it got him killed in the end.

[A quiet little exhale.]

I didn't say there wasn't a path back. I only said I don't... know what to do.

[curriculum_fictae]

[ A long, frigid silence. The mist is still here, so Algric is too, but there's far less of a sense of presence than there was before. ]

What do you want to do? Other than - other than undo it.

[eyediot]

I....

[He stands there, behind his desk. Really thinks. He doesn't know.]

I don't know. I just... [He wants the hurt to stop. The feeling of betrayal to leave him. Jonah rubs at his shoulder, the Lonely scar irritating him a bit.]

...Please stay?

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Another long silence. The mist drifts a little closer, and there's the faint impression of a hand on Jon's shoulder. ]

All right. I'll stay just outside the door, then.

[eyediot]

[He doesn't initially see what direction the mist is going, not until it's too late. The sharp freezing stab in his shoulder when the mist makes contact takes the breath out of him in a cry.]

Martin-

[curriculum_fictae]

[ Shit. Shit. He forgot about the scar - or maybe the Lonely gravitated him to it -- ]

S-sorry! Sorry, I didn't - oh god -

[ He withdraws immediately - all of the mist evaporating in an instant, returning the room to its normal temperature. ]

[eyediot]

[Jon takes a deep breath, fighting to keep on his feet. He clutches at the scar, Knowing it's creeping up his neck again. He reaches out, seeing the mist gone.]

Martin...

[And... then sits again, head on his desk. and curling into himself. He did this. He should have just forgiven him.]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ All is quiet again. No mist, no Algric. Just that horrible scar creeping back up again with its miserable cold grayness.

But ... after a moment, there's the quiet sound of someone breathing hard outside the door to Jonah's room. Algric is still there, keeping watch. As promised. ]

[eyediot]

[He hears it, so faintly. He's staying outside, that... that's fine. He can deal with that. Jonah sits up finally, moving to curl up on the cot. Pull the blanket up and keeps it tucked up against the scarred neck and shoulder.

But can Algric miss the pull of the shivering, the hissed breaths?]

[curriculum_fictae]

[ No. No, he really can't. Those are sounds of the Lonely, after all; he'd be able to sense them a mile away.

He longs to go in there and try to warm Jonah up, but he'll be useless like this. Just more cold, and ...

Ah. There's an electric blanket upstairs, isn't there? Rosie had one stashed away. He moves quickly, then, hoping Jonah doesn't notice his absence. ]

[eyediot]

[He doesn't notice, not at first. Not until the Eye is telling him that Martin left him, Martin won't come back. He was going to leave no matter what-

Jonah hunkers down tighter, scratching at the edges of the scar even if it hurts.]