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[corkscrewed]

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[corkscrewed]

[ martin's face pinches here, because if jon is having this reaction, it's clear that he's still missing something. ]

How does being an X-Man make you a monster? [ he hesitates, then adds quickly: ] Not to make light of the situation.

[epistemological]

[ He waves a finger at Martin. ]

Caaareful with that. Apparently, there are actual mutants here.

[ He takes a solid, fortifying sip. ]

And part of it's the statements. Reading them, recording them. I- I actually need them these days. Like... food. Or water.

[corkscrewed]

Do you have them here?

[ and that's what he's immediately jumping to, vigilant despite the hand on his glass. ]

Do you have enough to stay- fed?

[epistemological]

[ Jon will take the opportunity to point over towards a familiar looking box of files sitting in a corner of his room.]

Vetted all of them with my laptop before I brought them. And I've stored a few in the library and the infirmary, just in case.

[ He pats his pocket as well. ]

And one on me. After the island, it doesn't hurt to be careful.

[corkscrewed]

Won't be caught without one, at least. That's good.

[ martin's face is starting to get just the slightest bit warm. ]

I still wouldn't call you a monster.

[epistemological]

Which is... probably more comforting than you realize.

[ He probably should have explained more. Probably should have said something more helpful to that. But instead, at the moment, he'd just like to- to soak that in.]

...all of that isn't what I asked you over for.

[corkscrewed]

It's not?

[ that worry is creeping back onto his face. ]

Honestly, I might- need a while before you drop more bombs on me, Jon

[epistemological]

[ He blinks at that.]

I wasn't-

[ His head drops a little.]

I just wanted a bit of company. And I-

Would you rather leave? I don't- I'm not trying to- I just-

[ He just lets it hang as it is for a moment before finally clarifying ]

You don't have to stay if you don't want to.

[corkscrewed]

[ oh.

martin's expression softens immediately, and- of course he'll spend time with jon. it's just not what he's expecting. ]

Have you had any inmates?

[epistemological]

[ He wobbles a hand. ]

I've been given one, temporarily. We...

Most of our interaction hasn't gone well at all.

[corkscrewed]

What are they like? I'm honestly a little afraid of having one myself.

[epistemological]

She's a shapeshifting ninja.

She nearly crushed my windpipe and sold me to Beast men as a captive.

[ That's a sip.]

Her tricks don't work on me. So it's a bit of a standstill.

[corkscrewed]

Oh, my god, is your throat--?

[ martin flusters. ]

They won't give me someone like THAT, do you think?

[epistemological]

You might.

[ He glances over at Martin.]

As long as you're unpaired, you're going to be shuffled about with anyone not assigned to someone.

[corkscrewed]

[ he touches his own throat with a wince. ]

Guess I'll just have to deal with it if it happens.

[epistemological]

If it helps, death here isn't permanent. You just... wake up again and spend a week being sick and feeling awful.

[corkscrewed]

- have you died?

[epistemological]

Not yet, but I've seen it happen to a few people.

[ He looks at his glass and considers pouring more, his eyes going to Martin's glass as well before he tips his chin to the bottle. More?]

And if you don't die, the medical staff are exceptionally competant.

[corkscrewed]

[ yes. yes. he definitely wants to be topped off, and he'll hold his tumbler out to jon. ]

I'm guessing it still - hurts like you're dying.

[epistemological]

From what I understand, yes.

[ He'll top him off. And then he'll top himself off.]

...it doesn't comfort me very much. Doesn't... make me worry less about people.

About you.

[corkscrewed]

I can't imagine you worrying about me. I'm still - back home, it's - things are different.

[ he's shutting himself up by taking another long drink. ]

[epistemological]

Because the NotThem... the NotSasha is feeding my paranoia. Was feeding it. Playing with me down in the tunnels and-

[ He waves a hand, dismissing the whole thing.

And then he blinks.]

'Can't imagine-'? I gave you my bed. I was up in Elias's office, banging on about CO2 nearly daily on your word-

'Can't imagine'?

[corkscrewed]

Your bed?

[ this part is repeated a little incredulously. not unhappily, just baffled. ]

It was a cot in an empty room, Jon, it wasn't like you were using it often.

[epistemological]

Why do you think I had a cot?

[ He leans in just a little.]

I wasn't using it for naps mid day. I was there half the week before I gave it up.

[ He gestures with one hand, the one that doesn't have the scotch.]

Switched from late hours to early hours. Hence the, er- you and your trousers.

[corkscrewed]

I guess I just didn't...

[ he chokes down another mouthful of scotch, suddenly deeply embarrassed. ]

Thanks. Thank you, I mean. For that. For - believing me, with her. And for helping me find somewhere safe. But you don't have to worry about me now, Jon, I promise.