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[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.

It's not a comment on your competence, Henry, it's just... caring what happens to you, that's all.

[ He glances over at Dorian. ]

I know you wouldn't, Dorian, [ because he has never really bought Dorian's 'I don't care' act since the first statement he took, he could feel how much of a lie it was. ] which is why the two of you would be literally out to sea together.

I can swim. I wouldn't like it, but I'd be able to push the boat back if needs must. But why do that when we can bother you instead?

[ No comment on that 'I don't need anyone to take care of me' because in Dorian's mind, that's bull. ]

[Henry walks for a while, focusing just on the motion of his legs, letting them walk to a particular beat.

Caring what happens to him. It's an odd concept. He doesn't quite believe it.]

It was the only other option we had. I thought it would be easy enough, if you could see me.

[ Jon's eyes flicker to that walking beat... and he does his best to settle himself and not think about it too hard. It's the kind of thing he needs to keep a watch over but paranoia won't help anything. ]

It's easier for me to see you than not. Most of the time, my efforts are at keeping my eyes closed.

[ A small huff. ]

For all my... displeasure, it was a good idea. And you shouldn't hesitate if you're in a bad situation in the future and your communicator is out of reach.

The Ceaseless Watcher does literally see all, [ Dorian muses. ] And also apparently knows how to pilot a boat? Can I steal you for assistance when Henry and I borrow a yacht at some point?

We are not getting on a yacht.

Not together.

[Can't they see that all he wants to fo is go back to his room with his spiders and read?

Is that too much to ask?]

[ They're getting there, Henry. No one packed a spare teleporter. ]

I was born and raised in Bournemouth, Dorian. The Ceaseless Watcher had much less to do with it than several part time jobs.

Bournemouth? [ Dorian frowns, ignoring Henry's protests about not going on the yacht. They're getting a yacht at some point, stop saying otherwise. ] Well, nobody's perfect I suppose. If we're going with seaside holiday spots, I always preferred Brighton.

[Well, they have completely ventured into territory that he knows nothing about and is, quite frankly, not that interested in. He tunes them out, letting them talk while he stares at the ground and the bridges under his feet.]

Of course you'd prefer Brighton, [ that comes with a small eyeroll] but I can hardly choose where I was born. Certainly not where I was raised. The point is, there's nothing supernatural about my ability to drive a boat.

Of course I'd prefer Brighton, I have taste. Here, Henry, [ Dorian says, forcibly yanking the man back into the conversation. ] We'll go on a little Enclosure field trip later. Which would you rather go to, a place with a few churches and a hideous IMAX theater or a beach town so lovely that George IV himself spent quite a lot of time there?

[Not only does he have no idea what IMAX is, both places sound absolutely mind-numbingly dull. Despite that, his answer comes out a lot sharper than he anticipated.]

Neither.

[Even Henry recognizes that it was a bit too much, so he scales it back, chalking up his mood to exhaustion.]

But if you force me to choose, I would choose the quieter of the two.

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