Connor cornered Elder Church in the kitchen, "What did you mean, at breakfast?"

"Nothing, I've told you."

"You don't think that Kevin should come to London with me?"

Elder Church looked away, "I didn't say that."

"No, but you were thinking it."

Elder Church poured himself a glass of water, "It's just a big move, don't you think?"

Connor nodded slowly, "Yes, I guess it is. And?"

"And," Elder Church started, "You two have only been together for how long? Two weeks? What if, I'm not saying it wouldn't, but what if things don't work out?"

"What do you mean?"

"Look," Elder Church sighed, "You know what happened with my parents. Why did you think that my mom never left the jerk? It was because he moved us away from everyone she knew. She had no one to turn to, she was stuck."

Connor was appalled, "I would never-"

"No, that's not what I meant. I'm sorry it came out like that," Elder Church shook his head frantically, "I'm just saying, we both know Price has got some issues, gross understatement but you know what I mean," He laughed humourlessly, "I just don't want either of you to be stuck. Or get hurt, you know? That guy's been through enough as it is."

Connor shouldn't be surprised that this was coming from Elder Church. He was always the most perceptive and most mature amongst all the other Elders, Connor included. All of that a result of being forced to grow up too soon. He would have made an excellent district leader, if not for his temper and his propensity to put his foot in his mouth.

Connor smiled and put a hand on Elder Church's shoulder, "You're a great person, you know that?"

"What?!" Elder Church's eyes bulged.

"Really. Thank you for looking out for Kevin," Connor said earnestly, "I'll admit, I don't know what's going to happen, but this is like a new start for Kevin, you know? He's got nowhere else to go."

Elder Church nodded, "Right, yeah. That sucks," and slammed his empty mug back onto the counter, "Well, good talk. I'm gonna go, yeah?"

"Why do you always run away when we get to the good stuff, James?" Connor teased, "Do you really hate talking about feelings that much?"

"Yes, I do," Elder Church spun around and stormed out of the kitchen, leaving an amused Connor to finish up making dinner by himself.

Connor hummed as he chopped the vegetables, mulling over what Elder Church had said. They were going to be just fine, right? It wasn't like Connor had forced Kevin to come with him, and it was not like Kevin could go back home.

Connor was about to turn the stove on when he heard the front door open.

Arnold's booming voice filled the hut, "Are you sure? You should have seen how-"

"Shh. I'm fine, Arnold," Kevin's voice sounded small, and tired.

Connor stopped what he was doing and walked into the living room. He frowned at the sight of Kevin. He looked pale and shaky. That was not at all how Kevin looked when he left to see Gotswana for the cut on his foot three hours ago.

"Hey, you're back. What's wrong?" Connor crossed the room to his side in three strides.

Kevin gave Arnold a look and shook his head, "Nothing's wrong. I'm just a little tired."

Arnold stared at the floor and shuffled his feet.

"Okay," Connor was entirely unconvinced, "How's your leg?"

"It's fine, I'm fine!" Kevin snapped.

Connor held his hands up in front of him, "Hey, hey. I'm just asking."

Kevin scrubbed a hand across his face, "I'm sorry. I just- I need a nap," Kevin threw another look at his companion before walking back to his room.

Arnold was about to follow, when Connor caught his arm, "Arnold."

"Nothing's happened!" Arnold said with false cheer.

Connor raised an eyebrow, "I haven't even asked yet. Remember what I said about lying?"

"But- But I promised-," Arnold looked towards the direction of his room.

"I can't help him if I don't know what's wrong."

"Uhh," Arnold hesitated.

"You should know by now, that nothing good ever came out of letting him be. What if something bad happens? And we could have prevented it if I knew what was wrong?" Connor should feel bad for guilt-tripping Arnold into betraying Kevin's trust, but he was too worried to feel anything else.

"At the clinic," Arnold sighed, "There was this man. I guess he injured his eye or something, he had an eyepatch on, like Ragetti, you know?" Arnold chuckled nervously, "Anyways, Kev must have thought he was, you-know-who, and he freaked the eff out!" Arnold looked like he was about to cry, "I've never seen- I thought- I didn't know what to do! He was just- Gotswana had to give him a shot before he could stop- You know how when you ride a roller coaster and you get all scared, and then when you get off you feel like you're gonna barf? Yeah, that's how I'm feeling right now."

Connor squeezed Arnold's shoulder, "Thanks for telling me. I know it must have been scary to see him like that."

Connor knew how stingy Gotswana was with his drug supplies. For him to willingly use it on a non-life-threatening condition like a panic attack, it must have been bad. Very bad.

Arnold's shoulders slumped, "I don't know what to do."

"Neither do I, Arnold. Neither do I."

—

Connor sat on Arnold's bed, flipping through the book he had borrowed from Poptarts and occasionally glancing over to the sleeping form on the other bed.

"Oh no, please don't tell me the dog dies," Connor muttered to himself. Was this book going to have a sad ending? He wouldn't want to continue reading it if that's the case. What was the point of making himself feel even more down? Gosh. He only chose it because of the cute puppy on the cover.

Poptarts should have warned him.

"Oh Marley," Connor sighed.

"Connor."

Connor threw the offending book aside, "Kev, hey."

"What are you doing?" Kevin turned to lay on his side.

"Reading," Connor moved closer, "You want something to eat? You missed dinner."

Kevin shook his head, "Arnold told you, didn't he?"

"How did you know?"

"I don't know, you just look more stressed than usual."

"I guess I do, huh?" Connor ran his fingers through Kevin's hair, "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No," Kevin closed his eyes, "I'm really tired. Gotswana gave me Diazepam."

"Okay."

"Where's Arnold?"

"He wanted to stay here, but I sent him off to hang out with Nabulungi. He's still kinda rattled," Connor explained.

"Is he coming back tonight?"

"Yeah, he is. But I'll be here until he comes back, alright?"

Kevin gave a tiny smile, "Thanks."

"Go back to sleep."

"Oh, I should tell you," Kevin opened his eyes, "Marley dies."

Connor gasped, "Kev!"