"I can't help but think... that this is what I get for relying on wealth to save my family."
Mark cocks his head to the side, pondering over John's words as the younger stares at the remains of Moby Dick mutely. "I don't really understand your motive," Mark starts to say, reaching over to pick up the fallen crutch. "But it's not gonna do you any good if you overuse your own body and Ability."
John throws him a side glance, which Mark replies by setting the crutch by his side. "You're not going to be able to run an empire with a battered body."
"It doesn't hurt," John insists, not pushing away the crutch, but not accepting it either.
Mark clicks his tongue as if annoyed. "You should listen to your senior for once."
A sigh escaped John's lips. His usually polite demeanor ceasing as a colder one seeps in, and Mark can't stop himself from imagining how lonely John's path would be this way. Well, he thinks to himself. Not if I can help it.
"Don't you have an autobiography to write?"
"I do," admits Mark, still holding on the crutch, and shoves his free hand in his pocket. John turns to look at him and a breeze comes past, ruffling their clothes and hair. He's staring at Mark patiently, waiting for his next words.
With John's attention captured by him, Mark's lips curve into a smile. He squares his shoulder but relaxes his body, feeling confident as he continues, "But all the good fights are happening in here."
"I was thinking of staying here a bit longer. Gather more ideas for the book." John's eyes widen the slightest and Mark smiles wider. The sun sets behind them, bathing them in its last warm glow, and John laughs.
"It's going to be messy," John says.
Mark shrugs, because he knows John is wavering. "It couldn't be messier than Fitzgerald's rein over the Guild."
"This is gonna take a lot of time, you may not come home until next year," John continues.
"Well, it's quite boring there actually; there's no interesting people."
"I'm not going to be able to get rid of you, am I?"
"Nope." Grins Mark. He seems to enjoy John's attempt in making him change his mind. "I'm staying – and this crutch too, so..."
John shakes his head, exasperated, but there a smile is on his face. "Fine," he says and grabs the crutch. His grapevines retreat, and John once again leans on the crutch to support his broken leg. "I guess I'll have to buy your book once it's out."
"Oh, I'm giving you a signed copy." Mark grins.
A/N: I love these boys. They need more appreciation.