it's too late to say you're sorry [closed]

[championbittersweet]

Who: Jonathan Reid and Haein
When: After his meeting with Fayura
Where: In the library
What: Sorting paperwork
Warnings: Probably talk about vampire stuff, will add more if anything comes up


Feeling healthier than he has in weeks, perhaps even longer, Jonathan finds a new interest in the goings on at the Queen's residence, and a new desire to prove his gratitude to her for her assistance. So when he hears that Loren still needs help with the influx of complaints, he quickly accepts and heads to the library with a new box of letters, Loren having said since there were two of them now, they could handle more.

Even the idea of company seemed pleasant now, and Jonathan had a faint smile on his lips when he located the area set aside for the work... until he saw who was there. Immediately his movements were slower and more careful as he set the box down and drew out a chair opposite Haein.

"It seems we're expected to work together for a time."

Comments

[unwieldy]

In Haein's mind, Jonathan is a constant risk. He's seen the man on the brink of losing it, and it's not a pretty picture that he thinks he can get out of his head any time soon.

Everything about this place has pushed him to face circumstances he would never have faced before, and it's wearing away at him and his comforts. Most unsettling of all has probably been Jonathan, so this interaction isn't an easy one.

The question about shooting does pique his curiosity, though the wariness stays.

"Shoot? Like with a gun?"

[championbittersweet]

"Yes, with a gun." Jonathan reaches into his coat and draws out his pistol, easily opening the chamber and checking the contents before offering it to Haein.

"The ammunition is specially designed to ignite on impact. It's made to hurt, and even kill, vampires." He lets Haein take it if he wishes, not showing a bit of concern for the weapon in the hands of someone who has wished, multiple times, for him to die.

"If you like, I can show you how to shoot. In case you ever need to."

[unwieldy]

Haein immediately tenses at the appearance of the pistol. He's seen one up close only once before, and that was here in this place when it had been pointed at his head.

The memories the gun evokes aren't exactly fond.

There's some hesitation when it's offered to Haein, but he ultimately takes it in his hands and stares down at it for a few seconds. Having never handled a firearm before in his life, he doesn't know what to think. It's... heavier than what he would have imagined.

"What are you playing at...?" He glances back up at Jonathan, his gaze as suspicious as ever. A lifetime of distrust and betrayals makes it hard for Haein to understand why anyone would want to teach someone else how to kill them.

[championbittersweet]

The way Haein tenses doesn't go unnoticed, the uptick of his heartbeat obvious to Jonathan's ears, but he remains still until the younger man makes the move to accept or reject the offer. He can imagine a little of what he might be feeling; Jonathan himself had struggled with the idea of hurting or killing others in the war. He hopes Haein at least won't need it even if he learns it for protection.

At the question, Jonathan settles back in his chair and shrugs. "You're afraid of me, for good reason," he answers. "But I imagine some of it is because you don't know how to defend yourself if you need to. If you would like, I would teach you how to do that."

[unwieldy]

It's... true. Haein is afraid of Jonathan. He thought he'd be able to get rid of the monster by pushing him away with harsh words, but that doesn't seem to be working at all if their continuous encounters have been any indication.

Still, learning how to use a gun? Potentially taking a life? Haein harbors a lot of hatred in his heart for so many things and people, and he's wished them ill and more on several occasions, but killing is...

"I don't know," he admits, his eyes dropping back to the pistol in his hands. "You're springing a lot on me."

[championbittersweet]

It interests him that Haein hasn't handed the weapon back or set it aside yet either. While Jonathan understands the reluctance to take up a weapon, the lack of rejection speaks volumes in its own way too.

"This world, and any other, will spring worse on you without warning," he says quietly. "My offer will remain as long as you need it. But if you are truly afraid of me or others and truly wish to learn how to fight and stop my kind... few would be able to teach you better."

[unwieldy]

The answering silence draws out for a beat longer than necessary. Haein doesn't need to be told about how the world works. It's already fucked him every which way, and he knows it'll continue to happen unless he does something about it. He just hadn't expected that something to involve a gun.

He can't come to a decision. Not right now.

"I'll consider it," he says, voice hesitant. Haein places the gun down on the desk before sliding it toward Jonathan. It's going to haunt him. He's going to spend too much time thinking about this offer now.