Gordon had only ever really wanted to hurt two people in his life; the boy who had been picking on Alan in school and his Commanding Officer in WASP, now though, he could say it was three; he could add his brother to that list.
He watched as John walked away, the look he threw him as he turned the corner had his blood boiled.
Kayo pulled at his arm, trying to turn him away, softly reminding him about Alan.
She was right, Alan first, slowly beating his brother to death with his own arms later. He sighed, a futile attempt to cool his temper, pulling his eyes from the former location of his sibling he looked at her and something struck him.
She was still here.
He wrapped his arms around her, holding tight, She was still here, she hadn't followed John. She buried her head into the crook of his neck, he felt her shudder and this time he sighed out of defeat, the acceptance of the entire situation as he rested his cheek against her head.
'You'll be okay' he whispered as she pulled away, wiping a stray tear from her face 'I promise' she smiled, small and sad, but it was genuine and she nodded.
She frowned for a second 'Gordon..?'
'Yeah?'
'How do we tell Scott this?'
Gordon cursed under his breath and shrugged, laughing in spite of himself.
'From a distance, might be enough to get him walking again though'
'Gordon!'
'Sorry' he had enough sense to look bashful for a moment and let his eyes drift to the door. 'I've always found the best way to approach a suicide mission is to cut straight to the point and don't show fear'
'Nice to know you're optimistic'
'No, just realistic' he turned and walked to Alan, the teenager latching onto him instantly. He leaned into so only Alan would hear, and though he hated himself for saying it. It needed to be done, 'See, it wasn't your fault' - 'it was John' the last three words hung in the air unspoken but heavy and Gordon crumpled as he felt him nod against him, through the thin shirt.
If anything happened to Virgil or Alan, Pluto wouldn't be far enough to save John.