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Algernon had been concerned for Chris after everything that had happened. He knew the other's tendency to simply abandon things like sleep and it was much easier for the older man attentions outward instead of inward. Brief text conversations led him to what he understood was Thorne's place..

Though it looked a bit like an abandoned building.

The neighborhood was questionable but Alg wasn't much to judge by appearances. He stepped past a strangely lumpy plastic bag on the curb before he finally made his way up to the apartment door and knocked politely.

"It's definitely an interesting place," Alg smiled and stepped inside, pleased it was decently more liveable than what was without. "I can appreciate the aesthtic. Reminds me of a book I read.." He shrugged.

The offer of banana bread was met with a small chuckle and a pat to his own stomach, "No thank you. I just ate."

A few more steps in and Alg was reaching carefully to grasp Chris's wrist. He looked a bit worried but his hand was warm and reassuring, slightly different from the soothing feeling he usually gave off, "You look tired."

"Well-" He chuckled, "I mean, lemon tarts. But I'm fairly sure to Jeremiah that's some form of cheating," Alg said with a smile and light laugh, "So I'll hold off."

It was obvious that Chris was uneasy, the lip bite was obvious enough without the put on air of joking. But the circles under the other's eyes were there and Alg couldn't keep the concern from his face or voice. His hands just emanated relaxation.

"Yes I know you've a tendency to stay up for days on end," He sighed and moved so they could sit somewhere, "And I was there too Chris." Yes he'd not been as intimately involved with some of it... but he'd pressed the knife into Adoelle's hands.

And maybe he needed to know too, that Chris didn't hate him for it.

"Why not me?" Alg frowned. He of course would have been alright with Chris going up there, but knowing what he knew now, knowing the knife would be pressed to his own hand. "I wouldn't want you in that position either Chris. And you knew the kids better..."

Alg's bag was shrugged before he sat. It was bad enough the young man may have to see Adoelle's family in passing, to know truly what her end was, but to have had him have to perform the deed? No. Alg would feel worse about that on his conscious.

"I don't regret it Chris," He said softly. "I don't regret letting Adoelle go in the way she asked. I don't want you to think I feel badly for it and I hope you don't judge me for that."

"It's not like we knew in advance," The older man sighed, hand rubbing his face up under his glasses and across his very green eyes. "We thought we were just sending someone to debate our decision.."

And he'd done it, sat in that room with those people (if you could call them that) and tried to sway them to his side... and he'd only just.

"Thank you though," For not thinking less of him. He'd never truly forget the handle of the knife in his hand, pressing it to hers... how fast it had all happened. Alg blinked and adjusted his glasses again.

"How's Thorne?" A slight change of topic, perhaps, but how much more could be said about Adoelle and the tithe? How much conjecture could be made about would-haves and should-haves?

"I guess we should always expect the worst," Alg sighed and rubbed his face a moment.

Being called family stirred something in Alg that he wasn't expecting. He hadn't had any overly deep connections with many in Ashdown but it dawned on him slowly that he had built that with Chris. It had snuck up on him a bit, the sense of inclusion when they'd all begun their little text group, but Alg hadn't had much of a sense of family here until now.

"Thank you," He said again, waving his hand that he wasn't going to take it back. "And I feel the same. Whatever you need, whenever, you've got my support."

At mention of baking and going out he cast his glance around the apartment. It had all the marks of an artist's space but also the shift and signs of cohabitation that made it look like it belonged that way. "I'll never deny the effectiveness of baked good therapy-" He smiled momentarily, "But going out is good. It's progress. And you might do well to at least step out in the sun for some fresh air."

The professor's voice softened but there was some knowledge behind it, "Sometimes I find wearing the outfit of being alright, even if it's difficult, gets you out. Pretending to be alright takes you at least into the act of normality." Fake it til you make it.

"But I am not the expert on coping.." There was a slight self deprecating laugh.

"Of course it is," He sighed, scooching an inch closer on the couch to reach for Chris and give his hand a reassuring squeeze. His touch as always was warm and solid and reassuring, "Some days it's easier to stay inside. Stay in bed. Check out."

Alg withdrew again and shook his head. He knew full well about dealing with the aftershocks of other ashdown. About not sleeping. About seeing things behind his eyelids when he closed them. He also knew very well about the tension and paranoia that could come when someone you cared about was out of your sight, when you know they were also suffering.

"Before the ball Jeremiah hadn't even been out of the house. Seizures. Visions. Blacking out and disappearing to the other side..." Alg rubbed his face. "Couldn't eat or drink hot things. Could barely speak or gather his thoughts..."

The older man shook his head, "I couldn't ... help him. Couldn't do anything to affect it. I had to sit and watch and wait and being out of the house, away from him," Alg breathed. "Was terrifying."

"I know-" He sighed. "It's hard to not be afraid but it will fade. He won't go anywhere and you'll eventually stop being so scared. But you've got to try also.. to not be hopeless."

Alg's free hand set upon Chris's which was still on top of his own.

"Everything always has seemed to happen to Jeremiah. He leaps into things headfirst. First with deals to Sunny and Ezra.. " He sighed, "You know when we first - finally - got together he met Ezra for the first time and was robbed of his memories."

He glanced up at Chris, "He came back and didn't remember that we'd-" Admitted things. Decided things. Alg shook his head.

"All of this magical nonsense is unpredictable. Instead of being afraid, try to be prepared and proactive. Take steps to feel more secure and hopefully you will be ready when the next things comes."