TWs: Awkwardness, fear/phobia, mention of past death/killing/being used. Stay safe :)

Jon sat on the couch, fiddling his thumbs as he timidly looked around the living room. Arthur sat in the same spot in his recliner, his gaze shifting whenever Jon would move or make a noise.

Tord peered at him from the doorway, deep in thought as his arms were crossed.

Edd stood beside him, humming, "I can hear the gears turning..."

Tord blinked, glancing at his partner, "Huh?"

"You looked so stiff for a second there... what's on your mind?" Edd asked, gently nudging him.

"Ah-" Tord hesitated, glancing at Jon, "I just... don't know how to go about this. Like, do I apologize for blowing him up? Do I tell him I didn't mean to kill him? How do I-"

"Whichever way works best for you." Edd shrugs, "Besides, this is Jon we're talking about... he'll understand. I think."

There was a slight cough behind them as Matt slid by them with two cups in his hands.

The ginger smiled as he sat a cup on the coffee table before Jon, and hovered the other cup by Arthur's hand, letting him know it was there. The older felt around, looping his fingers through the handle of the cup, muttering a quiet thanks.

Jon gazed at the tea, silently wondering what to do with it. He was technically dead, so there was no use for him to drink anything. But would it be weird of him to not drink it? He knew Matt got offended easily, so would he get upset at Jon for not drinking the tea he made?

Maybe he was overthinking this. It's just a cup of tea.

Jon made himself completely visible, slowly picking up the cup.

Matt tilted his head, silently wondering how he could do that.

The shorter awkwardly held the tea, glancing around, "Uhm- it's a nice place you have here."

"Indeed." Arthur nodded, taking a sip of his tea.

Tord and Edd decided to finally join them. Jon immediately stood up once he saw the ex-leader, discarding his cup of tea on the coffee table.

They were silent for a while, gazes averted.

Edd nudged Tord, giving him a look. Tord huffed, peering at Jon with a defeated gaze.

"I'm..." Tord winced. He didn't like apologizing since he usually knew he was right, but he knew when to push aside his pride, "I'm sorry."

"Say what for," Edd whispered.

"Killing you." Tord frowned, "I'm sorry for killing you."

"Oh, it's-" Jon was cut off by Tord.

"But, I didn't mean to aim for you- you were kinda in the way. I was aiming at Tom since he was getting on my nerves, and my anger got the best of me." Tord rambled.

Matt's eyes twitched as his eyes flashed red, "What?"

"Tord!" Edd yelled.

"What? I knew before any of you that he had a demon inside him. He would've survived with a few scratches!" Tord awkwardly smiled.

Matt glared at him through Rose-tinted eyes. Edd rolled his eyes, not believing this idiot was the one he loved.

"I don't forgive you." That statement made Tord's eyes widen.

"Huh...?" He uttered, looking at Jon.

"I don't think I can forgive you. Not yet, at least... You killed me, cut my life short, and I was dragged into something I didn't want to be a part of, all for a second chance at life." Jon furrowed his eyebrows, "I had no freedom, I couldn't decide for myself, and all of my decisions were made by someone who thought it would 'toughen me up.'"

Jon paused, his eyes watering as he looked at Tord, "And now I'm free... to make my own decisions again."

Tord looked at the other, a small yet tight smile gracing his features. He nodded in recognition, "Okay."

The ex-leader knew how it felt not being able to make your own decisions and having no freedom... he and Jon were quite similar in some regards.

"Well, what are you going to do now?" He inquired.

A smile appeared on Jon's face, "My friends... I would like to see them again."

"Oh, I think they moved into the building next to ours," Matt spoke.

"Same floor, too..." Edd uttered, not particularly thrilled to see Eduardo anytime soon.

"Really?" Jon's face lit up.

"Yeah, pretty sure they go to the park nearby often ever since they got a dog." The taller one said.

"Ugh, dogs." Arthur scrunched his face as Matt shivered in fear, remembering the last time he was around a dog.

Jon's face grew pale, "A wh-what?"

"A dog." Tord said, "Y'know, an animal that you can train and give treats and bond with; that's why a lot of dogs are service animals."

"I know what a dog is." Jon frowned, "It's just- I'm scared of dogs, that's all. Eduardo knows that."

"And Eduardo knows- or thinks- that you're dead." Edd explained, "So he got a dog because he thinks you're dead."

"He also got it to cope with the death of you," Matt said. Everyone looked at him, "What? Mark told me after I almost passed out from an allergic reaction."

"Surprised he told you." Edd quirked an eyebrow.

"He didn't want to be responsible if I died, so he took me to a hospital instead."

"At least he's trying..." Jon sighed.

"We can try to catch them tomorrow," Edd suggested.

"The sooner, the better." Jon nodded. He couldn't wait to see his friends again.

"I should check on Tom..." Matt muttered, stuffing his hands in his pockets, "Ah, I almost forgot!"

Taking an envelope out of his pocket, Matt handed it to his father, waiting for him to take it, "This was in the mail."

Arthur hummed, taking it as he placed his cup on the side table next to the recliner. He felt it, his eyebrows furrowing as he noticed the braille.

He moved his fingers over the small bumps, his eyes widening slightly as he wasted no time opening it.

The letter was also in braille. Unfortunately, there were no words, and Matt couldn't read it. He pouted, disappointed as he watched his father's face.

Arthur held a surprised look on his face before fading into a puzzled expression. Then confusion turned to sorrow as he read the last paragraph.

"What is it, dad?" Matt questioned, noticing the look on his face.

"I- nothing." Arthur cleared his throat, smiling softly, "Just an old friend."

Matt wasn't fooled by his smile, but he didn't say anything as he nodded and went upstairs to check on his boyfriend.