"I can't move my legs," Simon said, his LED a solid circle of red.
"Okay, don't worry," Markus told him, looking into those wide, frightened eyes. "We're going to get you back..."
The words felt hollow to his own ears. North and Josh were arguing over what they should do, but all Markus could think of was how all of this was because of him.
Making the broadcast had been his idea. Letting the station employee get away had also been his decision. He knew it was because he'd spared the man that the alarm had been sounded, and SWAT officers had burst into the broadcast room before they could escape.
"We can't leave him behind – we have to shoot him."
"That's murder! We can't kill him, he's one of us!"
Simon hadn't really wanted to do this. Had been extremely hesitant because of all the risks it entailed, and yet he'd supported Markus anyway. He was one of the oldest members of Jericho, his opinions respected by all, and he'd still chosen to trust in someone who had only just joined them. He was important to all of them, the mediator between North's aggression and Josh's passivity. Whenever the other two had disagreed over Markus's plans, Simon had always been the one to break the stalemate and choose what he believed was best for their collective wellbeing.
Simon himself had survived for so long because he knew where to strike the balance, to fly neither too low nor too high. He'd chosen to believe in Markus's dreams – and been burned for it.
"Markus, it's your call," North said. She and Josh had both turned to him, waiting for his decision. He pulled up his preconstruction programme to buy himself more time.
Simon had looked at him the whole time, as North and Josh debated while Markus hesitated, unsure. His LED was still entirely red, yet his expression was calm. Markus saw in his pale face a kind of quiet dignity that made him think, fleetingly, of winged statues he had once seen when Carl had taken him to a museum.
Alive or dead, Simon deserved better than to be left behind.
Markus had been given two options. He considered both, and then chose neither.
"Get your parachutes on and carry him to the edge," Markus told them. "Jump, and I'll follow."
Simon's calm façade cracked. "Markus, what are you – " he began, startled, but the other two were already moving in accordance with Markus's instructions.
Markus ignored all of Simon's protests as he swiftly put on his own parachute and joined them at the railing. He could hear people thundering up the stairs, banging on the locked roof access door. Josh and North jumped first, and Markus hoisted Simon up into a standing position.
"You'll have to pull the cord," he said as he wrapped both arms securely around Simon's waist, lifting him a little off the ground with ease. "I'll have my hands full."
"Markus – "
SWAT officers burst onto the roof.
"I'm not letting go," he promised, and leapt.
.
.
.
[Simon ^^^]
[Relationship status: ETERNAL DEVOTION]
[Path unlocked: Lover]
Psst: listen to the Skydiving track from Kingsman OST, it sets a great mood ;)