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Henry's eyes open at the touch, blood dripping from both nostrils. He takes a breath, reaching out to him. "He's coming," he says before slumping full over onto Dorian, passed out.

Fucking hell. Dorian frowns, sighs, and starts to wipe at Henry's nose. Might as well mop up his inmate while the blood is still fresh.

[ Things most people don't know about Jonathan Sims: that he actually knows his way around a bloody boat. That's why he's renting a proper little fishing boat to get himself out there to where Dorian and Henry are, driving it with all the ease of a car for most people. And of course, the very first thing he asks is-]

Do I even ask?

[ A glance at Henry before he turns to Dorian. ]

...I shooed him out of there as soon as I could.

We might have run out of gas.

[ Sorry babe! Having cleaned up Henry's face, Dorian was just keeping watch over the kid, making sure nothing happened. ]

And I know you don't like going full tilt spooky god, but it might do Henry some good to know that even if he got all his powers back, there would still be those who outclassed him.

Edited 2022-09-25 02:45 (UTC)

[ That is a deep sigh. ]

I sincerely hope you didn't utilize him to contact me purely to scare the living bejesus out of him.

[ The problem, Dorian, is that he does like it. It's very very satisfying. It's just the Jon part of him that feels awful about it and doesn't want to do it. ]

Shall I tow you or will you both come on board instead?

It was his idea, thank you very much. And let me see if Sleeping Beauty is awake enough to help.

[ You're gonna have to walk off the boat eventually, Henry, Dorian ain't carrying you. So, time for a gentle, wake you up, sort of nudge. ]

[And Henry does wake slightly, pushing himself up to leaning on his elbows.]

I wasn't afraid.

[He had heard some of that conversation and needs to make that point clear.]

I know.

[ Just as simply as if he was agreeing that the sky is blue and water is wet. ]

I've brought supplies for the tow. I wouldn't want you to have to pay for the boat if we can help it.

I've got money if needed, [ he shrugs. ] It'll just have to come out of the clothes found. But help us out, valiant Archivist. Let's get this piece of junk back to dry land.

[Henry can't exactly get up and do much rope tying, but he does at least slide away from Dorian so he can slump back against one side of the boat.]

Use the clothes fund.

[He's still going to do his best to get out of that.]

Yes, yes, of course.

[ Jon will get to doing most of the ropes, tying things off and setting up a loop for Dorian to affix to the right spot so all he needs do is tug on it to tighten it around the right spot. ]

We're going over maritime safety once we get back to what passes for dry land. You live on a barge, for Christ's sake!

One, space Barge, doesn't count. Two, I know how to work a yacht, I'm not hopeless. Three, we're still going on that shopping outing, Henry, you can't get out of that.

[ though as they work, Dorian is very helpful. He does know a bit about how ships work... but he's also a damn moron. ]

[Henry falls asleep for just a little while, letting them work, but he tries to stay awake as long as possible.

And strangely, he can't get the music out of his head.]

You're only my warden for a month. There is no reason to push this much.

[He looks to Jon, almost pleading for intervention.]

One, you didn't check the amount of petrol before you went out so yes, you're hopeless. [ To Dorian ] And two, he doesn't like to waste time with anyone, Henry, you're about as likely to pry him off with the jaws of life as that sort of logic.

[ He tugs the rope to make sure it's secure before- ]

All right, that should do. Let's get you both to land.

[ And he's starting the engine to get them going. ]

You're never getting rid of me! [ Dorian points out, in a sing-song voice. But it's about time to set off. Dorian gives Jon a nod then sits back, trying to not be in the way unless needed. ]

[Henry has no idea what the jaws of life are, but the comparison stands well enough on his own.

Basically, he's fucked.

He can't really do much to help, but he does lean against the back of the boat so there's no chance of getting thrown out. And at least he manages to stay awake until they're back to the docks, and he pushes himself up, not too proud to use Dorian as a crutch.]

[ Jon will handle all boat-related shenanigans, including getting the boat into it's slot at the dock and he'll even hop onto the dock to see it secured. He trusts Dorian to take care of Henry. He's also still rather annoyed at both of them.]

-and the next time both of you decide to leave your communicators at home when you're going out on a voyage, I'm asking for your most embarrassing memory and posting it to the network myself! Honestly.

[ There is no mistaking this for an actual real threat; he's just angry because he was worried for them both. But he sounds very fussed. ]

I mean you know mine already, being eaten by a dinosaur, [ Dorian shrugs. ]

That's not a threat for me.

[ It's a little bit of a threat! But Dorian doesn't want to actually say what the threat is. He's fine! He's cool! Don't bother him! ]

That's not a threat when there is nothing embarrassing I've done.

[Is that a challenge? Almost. Is he being defiant for the sake of being defiant? Absolutely.

Back on dry land, he leans heavily against Dorian, though managing to keep his feet underneath him.]

We would have been rescued either way. The Admiral wouldn't simply leave a prisoner behind.

[ He gives both of them a look. ]

Oh, do not challenge me, the both of you.

[ He shakes his head, though, and he'll take up a spot on the other side of Henry. ]

Yes, and more than likely, you'd have had to face a death toll for it. Which is more trouble than it's worth.

Let's get you both back to the Barge and you can tell me all about how clever and not at all stupid this whole thing was.

[ Dorian adjusts his position so that Henry has more of a shoulder to lie on. He's being very cheeky, very smartass as he points out, ]

I will happily chat about how clever I am—and how I would never die in the first place. Shall we?

[Henry doesn't have too much pride. He uses that shoulder to lean on as they walk, unsteady as he is, through the watery passages.]

It wasn't meant to be clever or stupid. This wasn't an sort of grand scheme.

[ He pauses then and realizes that while Dorian is perfectly aware of what he's doing, Henry almost certainly isn't. Which is why he quietly explains- ]

I realize that, Henry. This is just... how I express my concerns: trying to bother you into being more careful because people have failed to come back after a port and no one knows what happens to those who leave the boat without graduating and in fact it's possible they go into the Void and disappear forever so...

[ He swallows and spreads his hands. ]

You don't have to defend yourself, I don't- I don't actually think either of you are inept. I was just concerned.

Edited 2022-09-25 20:36 (UTC)

Our dear Jon is what we call a worrywart, [ Dorian points out. He's still trying to keep the tone light, still trying to seem nonchalant about the matter...though he does dial the smartass down for a moment or two. He'll turn his face towards Jon as he points out, ]

He doesn't need to worry, though. Jon knows me. I wouldn't let you get left behind.

[The explanation is appreciated. He's so unused to this sort of companionship and friendship. Seeing the two of them interact is like listening to some radio play. It doesn't seem real that two people talk to each other like this.]

Oh.

I don't - need anyone to take care of me.

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