chaos in the wild

[dark-musngs]

trash-muse​:

John knew the time and place for his brand of cheekiness was completely off. It was a stress thing. It was how he coped - laughing off the dangerous situation with an improper quip and flipping the middle finger to those who oppose him. It was also how he landed in deeper trouble than what he was already in.

As Zatanna worked her way in to see Az, John waited in the wings, fingers rolling over the lighter in his pocket. The wait was nerve wracking, feeling a lot longer than it probably was. But John was anxious to rescue his love and get them all home to safety. And he wasn’t the only one waiting. Back in a hidden sanctuary there was a little boy keen to have his angel friend returned to him. John remembered the stubborn look on his face before they had left.

“You’ll save Azzie, yes?” It wasn’t so much a question, but a command. The fire in Adam’s bright blue eyes gave John no other option but to agree. “Good. And Daddy… I love you.”

John knew they couldn’t fail. There was too much at stake. He may have been a screw up for most of his life, but now was his chance to pull it all together. For him. For all of them.

Another second passed and suddenly John felt the crackles of magic crawl over his skin. One moment he was in the alley, the next, standing in a dank chamber next to Zatanna’s demonic form. The smile he gave back was a poor attempt indeed but John was glad to have his beautiful magi by his side. He reached out, squeezing a clawed hand in his in a silent show of gratitude and love.

Slipping away, John moved further into the chamber, his eyes landing on the crumpled figure on the floor. He moved slowly, despite his desire to run to his angel, keeping himself wary of any traps that may have been laid out for them. However, as soon as he was within reach, John took the last steps quickly, dropping to the floor and pulling Az’s broken body toward him.

“Az, my love,” he murmured, brushing dirty limp hair back from Az’s face. “What have they done to you?” The question was rhetorical, one John never wanted the answer too. “Come on, love. Z and I are here to take you home.”

With one final squeeze to his hand, Zatanna took a step back and turned to watch the entrance, deciding it was best to give them their space for the time being. This was the other side of John’s heart and she was going to let him pick up the pieces of it in private. Besides, she had seen many a thing of nightmares in her time but nothing was more disheartening than a broken angel.

Short, pained whimpers left the lips of the angel as he was moved, his one good eye screwed shut as he was anticipating going another round with his less than friendly hosts. He could withstand it, it took a lot to break an angel, but also he knew he had to withstand it. That only made the pain hurt ten times over as he knew there was no other option - he wouldn’t sell out John or Adam.

The voice he longed to hear could only mean this was a fever dream, right? He cracked open his eye, half expecting to see a demon grinning down at him as they loved to manipulate reality and many times it was John they plagued him with. They seemed to take extra enjoyment in finding this chink in his armor. It took him a second to focus but when he did...

“.....J-John?” he wheezed, his bruised windpipe preventing him from speaking up. A faint glow surrounded his body as his essence tried to escape the broken vessel in effort to save himself, but the symbol burned into his hip prevented that. It was hard to tell what was fresh or dried blood, or if there was any skin left untouched by blade or bruise.

“..t-too....d...dang..er..” he paused to cough, his whole body seizing at effort. “...rous...”

[hunk-heaven-deactivated20230805]

Thomas Doherty for Behind The Blinds Magazine

[dark-musngs]

trash-muse​:

John wasn’t as oblivious as he made out to be of how uncomfortable being in Hell made Zatanna. He was a bit twitchy himself and wanted to get out of there as soon as they were able. But John was also used to hiding behind the teasing and arrogant persona, especially in situations he was uncomfortable in. The ease of he presented was all an act, but one necessary to survive the darkness and cutthroat underworld.

He paused at Zatanna’s words, settling back against the wall in their hiding spot and looking to her with concern in his eyes. John had already jumped into the fray blindly once before back at her apartment when Nick had first returned. It made sense that the situation before them may be similar.

“Alright, love, let’s do it your way.” John murmured back, never taking his eyes off Zatanna as her appearance shifted. He gave her new look an unapologetic once over and smirked. “I still would.” He flirted without shame, knowing it was not the time nor the place to make such a statement.

As Z rounded the corner, the demons on guard looked up but did not get into a defensive stance. “Who are you?” One, who appeared to be the leader of the trio, asked. They eyed Z with suspicion but didn’t appeared to be able to see through her disguise.

“You the one the boss sent down to try and break the angel? Hmph.” The demon continued with a scoff. “We’re Hell’s top torturers and we couldn’t make him scream where that bastard John Constantine is holding up the kid. Good luck to ya.”

Zatanna rolled her eyes before striding, or more so lumbering, towards the other demonic body guards. Her loves unorthodox appetite for certain things is what got them in many a mess, much like the one they were cleaning up now. He couldn’t blame her for not being quite in the mood for his cheekiness at  the moment.

Through blazing eyes she glared at the demons, no need to hide her disgust as they didn’t exactly extend a friendly greeting. She simply grunted her affirmation and played along with their apparent annoyance at being unable to break the angel. Az was a mighty being but that didn’t mean their words didn’t sink deep when she heard them - she could hardly fathom what an angel’s breaking point must be and the pain it took to reach it.

Once they stepped aside with a few more grumbles, she pushed aside the jagged boulder covering the entrance, pausing just a beat as they closed it behind her. Murmuring a detection spell, she quickly assessed the interior chamber and once it was confirmed that only one other life form was present, she summoned John to her.

The witch flashed his a toothy smile, seeming to say I told you so, before her expression dropped a bit and she nodded for him to go ahead as she caught sight of the lone figure crumpled on the floor, bound in chains. If not for the faint ethereal glow surrounding the broken body she would have thought him dead.

[qotsgifs]

Whatever you’ve done, you don’t need to hide from me. 

[dark-musngs]

@trash-muse

[dark-musngs]

trash-muse​:

Lips curled in a disgusted scowl at the stench of sulfur hanging heavy in the steamy air. Trenchcoat covered shoulders rolled, shrugging off the ashy residue falling from the closing portal. Hell had never been more uninviting but then if it was, more people were bound to sign the dotted line to get in.

John looked around the vacant alley before turning back to his travel companion, earlier disgust melting away and replaced with a tender smile. “Well, Zatanna, my love, looks like roughing up that lesser demon paid off.” There was a hint of amusement in his tone as he recalled the events that led to their arrival in Hell.

It had been a simple information gathering mission which started with meeting a lesser demon to make a phony deal. Of course, that led to a small fight and before Zatanna could finish uttering her backwards curse, the demon was squealing all the answers they needed to retrieve their missing angel.

The lesser demon told them that Neron had his fill with tormenting Asmodel and was now fixated in getting his hands on the angel’s former vessel. But that didn’t mean Asmodel had been left to rot alone. The lower ranked demons took great delight in dealing out punishment after punishment to an angel. There was no way Az was getting out lightly.

“This way, yeah?” John led the way in the directions they had been given. There were quite a few twists and turns. Corridors narrowed then widened and narrowed again like jagged teeth, the dark became thicker as they neared their destination.

John put a hand up, stopping them in the shadows as voices were heard just around the corner where the corridors widened once more. “There’s three of them and two more inside with Az,” John looked to Z, lips curling at the wicked suggestion about to be shared. “You want to incinerate them? Or shall I?”

@dark-musngs​

Sharp blue eyes watched cautiously from underneath the hood of the cloaked figure, seemingly on edge as every tormented scream had her attention. John might be able to joke in such an environment but Zatanna wasn’t quite up to the task. She just wanted to retrieve their fallen comrade and get back to the surface as quickly as possible. As they navigated the unwelcoming environment she stuck close behind him, nose wrinkling as the scent of sulfur continuously grew stronger and filled the humid air around them.

Peering around his shoulder, she noted the different voices and agreed that there only seemed to be three guarding the outside of the room, if one could call it that. “It’s too easy.” she whispered back, brow furrowed as she assessed his suggestion. “Let me try something first...” she placed a hand on his chest to pause him before muttering esiugsid. Her image flickered and soon a six foot demon stood in her place - covered in scales, horns, and even the glowing red eyes. Flashing John a toothy smile, she rounded the corner and approached the others with all the confidence of a hell bottom feeder.

[oraclepng-deactivated20170521]

Zatanna/Constantine aesthetics requested by @snaibselzatanna and @mia-dearden

request one here

[dark-musngs]

@trash-muse

[deanmoth]

I’m not sure because of, you know, the mass hallucinations, but when I was working on the machine, I opened it enough to see that a piece of tech from Project Sheperd made it inside. Meaning that my mom built something for good, and your dad figured out a way to mess it up. Yeah, but, I mean, if we remove it, then maybe we can find a way to make it purr.

[dark-musngs]

@trash-muse

[sheschasingthestars]

Keep talking

And I'll find a way to forgive you

See you in the light I wish to

Like I always do

And keep crying

Yeah, I'll find a way to make it my bad

Never mind you going behind my back

And leaving out the truth

Call me the queen of silver linings

And you can be king of good intentions

No matter what you do

No matter what you say

I'll always find a way to love you

[dark-musngs]

@trash-muse

[dark-musngs]

trash-muse​:

As Zatanna’s fingers slid between his, John felt something click into place inside him. Like a part of him had returned home and his heart had started to mend itself. His fingers curled around her hand, locking it in place. All in. No going back now.

John returned the squeeze by lifting their joined hands and kissing the back of Zatanna’s gently, trying to soothe the unspoken fear that it was a dream. He had all but given up on reaching this moment. When he was younger he had imagined it as some big grand gesture, consummated in bold passion. But as the years went on and the damage took it’s toll, the murmured confessions and simple softness of holding each other’s hand spoke of healing old wounds and whispering in a new beginning.

If only Az were there. The angel would probably be crowing about he was right and he told John so. His absence hit something hollow within John. Az needed to be there to share in this moment. Zatanna seemed to sense that ache within John that someone was missing.

He sighed heavily and shook his head. “Yeah. Can’t understand why. I’m a piss poor example of being human.” His tone sounded like he was trying to joke but it didn’t quite hit the right note. They needed to get Asmodel back.

“Oh, he absolutely adores the kid.” John agreed, eyes shifting briefly toward the fireplace mantle where he had put a couple of photos in an effort to make the place more a home. “And Adam adores him. Az is family.” His gaze shifted back to Z, a renewed spark of determination in his eyes. They would get Asmodel back.

“Speaking of…” John shifted the topic. “I should probably go wake the kid up so we can eat the food you bought. Shouldn’t be too bad reheated with a little spell, yeah?”

A small smile graced the sorceress’s lips at the delicate gesture from the man with so many jagged edges many couldn’t see past the sharp exterior. After a long life on the stage she didn’t need big gestures full of pompous and show. She wanted genuine gestures, nothing spectacular. Spectacular only lasted so long...

“You’re just an honest version of humanity.” Zatanna teased, her anger subsided as they fell back in their same comfortable manner. Even though she knew it wasn’t going to be quite the same until they had retrieved the missing piece of their little makeshift family. She nodded, squeezing his hand once again before letting go to let him go gather the kid. “Go ahead, I’ll handle the dinner. Then we can discuss more options, I promise.”

[dark-musngs]

trash-muse​:

The questions drove home just how stupid he had been. He should have known better yet he had let his guilt from his mistakes cloud his judgement. John looked down, shoulders rounding as the burden of truth came crashing down on him, making him realise he had been completely and utterly wrong.

“What I want is you.”

That blunt honesty tore John’s gaze away from the spot on the floor he had been staring at and into the bright blue eyes of the woman he loved. He could see the conflict of emotion in their depths, his own eyes surprised but also questioning. Why would Zatanna want him? Hadn’t he caused her enough hurt and pain? Wasn’t she afraid he’d just do it again? But beyond the doubts and self hate there was also a flicker of hope. Could they try again and make it work this time?

John went to reply, to tell her that he had changed from the man Z wanted. But the words caught in his throat when Zatanna stated she was willing to be all in.

There was a heavy pause for a few beats before John held out his hand in offering. “All in.” He repeated, voice soft and sincere. “I want you too, Z. Have since I first laid eyes on you. But I don’t want to be that man any more. I want to be better. I want us to be equals. To want what you want. To be all in. No regrets, no lies.” He paused again, letting his words simmer slightly before continuing. “I love you, Zatanna, and I am willing to be all in if you are.”

“I had an inkling.” John confessed. While he never out rightly told Az, he guessed the angel knew. “Celestial beings can sense those of the underworld, after all. But we never spoke of it.” A small mirthless chuckle rumbled through him. “We never spoke about a lot, actually. It was like if we did, that bubble we created around ourselves would burst and the outside world would ruin the life we had… lot a good that denial did.”

Zatanna waited patiently for his response, hoping despite her better judgement that he would deliver the answer she had been waiting on. If only she could turn down the volume of her heartbeat that seemed to grow louder in the silence as she waited for him to speak. It only seemed to be quelled when he repeated the words back to her and she took his hand out without hesitation or breaking eye contact. She intertwined her fingers with his, latching on tight as the man she loved finally told her she didn’t have to do this alone. He would be there with no more lies and no more distance.

She had dreamed of this many times bur had always woken up to the same old loneliness and crashing reality that it wasn’t true. “I love you too.” she murmured with a smile, squeezing his hand tightly to remind herself it wasn’t a dream this time. But even in the wake of her newfound fragile happiness, she chewed on her lip as they were both aware there was still a missing piece to John’s heart.

“Sounds like he learned a lot from you about being human,” she teased lightly, her thumb running over the back of his hand. “Also sounded like he cared a lot for the kid, despite what he knew.”

[dark-musngs]

trash-muse​:

The barb of truth poked at an already open wound but John took it and allowed his guilt to fester with it. All the critics were right. He was bad news. Everything he was given he mistreated and broke. No matter how hard he tried to change, it always came back to him ruining lives and breaking hearts and destroying any trust.

Despite the urge to look away, John met Zatanna’s hard stare with his own full of regret. “How?” He asked, his voice low, the normal confidence he held vanished without a trace. “How was I supposed to tell you that one of the best things in my worthless life was created in the worst mistake I ever made? How was I supposed to break the heart of the woman I love again?”

John sagged heavily into the chair, looking utterly defeated. “I was wrong. I know that. I should have told you instead of leaving that night. We should have found out together.” A long sigh left him and he braced himself for the inevitable rejection he believed was coming. “No amount of apologies can ever make up for the pain I’ve caused. Regardless, I am sorry.”

“I promise. No more lies, Z. My mind, my life, my soul… it’s all an open book for you. Which page do you want to read?”

John had his demons. He made mistakes and Zatanna loved him despite the trouble that followed in his wake. What she couldn’t stand was that he never seemed to treat her as an equal. He either held her on an incredibly high pedestal or kept her hidden away in an attempt to protect her. She just wanted to be all in with him. All in.

“We make mistakes John. Did you think I would care less for the kid if I knew? Did you think I’d be upset that you were with another woman? Come on John, I would hope you know me better than that...” Zatanna sighed, running her fingers through her hair in frustration. She didn’t want excuses, she just wanted the truth. Yes it might still hurt but at least she knew he was being honest.

“....you didn’t even make up a dumb excuse. Or leave a note. You just left. Really made a girl feel special.” she murmured as she stared down at her plate of food slowly getting colder as the conversation continued. “John, I know you have your issues but I don’t want any more apologies because they’re starting to just all sound the same. What I want is you.” The witch’s stark blues looked up to him it was obvious there was a conflict of love and frustration that she was battling internally.

“I want the man that fought for me, even when I was with Nick. That man was brutally honest and pursued what he wanted, regardless of what stood in his way. That man wouldn’t push me away by keeping secrets and lying to me, despite his best intentions.  I am here John and I am willing to be all in if you stop trying to dictate the terms of this partnership.”

“....Az knew about Adam. Did you know that?”

[fyeahjeleanor]

[trash-muse]

@dark-musngs

[dark-musngs]

trash-muse​:

John inhaled a long deep breath, bracing himself as he waited for the first question. He didn’t have to wait long, the question digging up one of his deepest regrets. The night had been perfect until a sudden revelation and John’s selfishness ruined it. Then later, his cowardliness over the truth just dug him further into unforgivable territory.

“In a way, yes.” John confessed, remorse dripping from every syllable. “But still, I shouldn’t have left like that. I’m an inconsiderate arse. I’m sorry.” The apology was well overdue and John wouldn’t blame Z if she didn’t accept it. But there was a raw sincerity to it that John never showed to anyone.

“Eight months prior I was in New Orleans.” The story wasn’t an easy one to tell but Zatanna deserved to hear it. “I met a woman in a bar. Dark hair, gorgeous smile, the most beautiful blue eyes I had ever seen. I could have sworn at the time at was you.”

John paused briefly before barrelling on, not allowing Zatanna to interrupt. “In almost every way possible she had replicated you. She even wore that perfume you like. And… well, you could imagine what happened next.” There was definitely no need to elaborate what happened after the bar. Z was very familiar in that regard.

“It wasn’t until your birthday and you said that you hadn’t been to New Orleans in years that I realized.” John looked away, hanging his head in shame and guilt, the feeling of failure creeping beneath his skin. He should have known. Why had he allowed himself to be tricked? He was such a fool. “It was Rosacaris. That lying, shapeshifting, daughter of a snake. She had shifted into a perfect copy of you. Our night of fun… well, you’ve met the results of that. And I was a bloody fool.”

Zatanna dropped her gaze as he admitted her assumption was correct, swallowing hard as old hurt simmered at the surface. She could still feel her tears mixing with warm water of the shower when he simply left her once again. Many had sought her out over the years for her magic abilities but never had she felt so used and on the evening on her birthday at that. It had been a resentment she had been holding onto for quite a while, whether she recognized that she was or not. “....you didn’t even leave a note.”

She listened as he continued with his story, not butting in anymore as she just took it in. It was how the story went between them. Secrets and more secrets. There was the best intentions but it always backfired and ended up with one of them being hurt — usually Zatanna. Her eyes stayed on her hands clasped across her lap as she was torn between the feelings of his guilt and her hurt. She was familiar with this crossroads.

Closing her eyes, she took a beat before finally speaking. “I suppose it could be flattering that they played on your feelings for me. The validation that you do feel something but-” she opened her striking blue eyes and fixed him with a hardened stare. “You should have told me when you found out. You didn’t tell me for four fucking years.”

“I thought you were done lying to me.”

[dark-musngs]

trash-muse​:

Zatanna anchored him into reality, stilling the hurricane of thought and emotion running through his head. John clung to that tenderness like a life raft, knowing she was absolutely right.

He was appreciative she didn’t coddle him too much, though. John needed to stand on his own two feet - figuratively and literally. Tossing the dead milk carton in the trash, John then looked up and met Zatanna’s gaze. “You are brilliant.” He complimented softly followed by a self depreciative chuckle when she agreed about the shower. “Right-oh, love. Back in a tick.”

He moved more fluidly toward the bathroom, his legs no longer feeling the tingly numbness of sitting in one spot for too long. Once in the room, he started the shower, letting the water run for a bit to heat up. He avoided looking in the small mirror over the sink, instead just stripping and moving under the spray of water.

It didn’t take long for John to wash and have a rough shave - he still liked to have that 5 o’clock shadow look - and he exited the bathroom with his towel around his hips. Inhaling the scent of the food that had been delivered while he was in the bathroom.

“Looks good, love.” John moved over to the table in the lounge area and admired the food and the woman who provided it. He sat on the lounge, not caring that he only had a towel for modesty - wasn’t anything Zatanna hadn’t seen before. Well, aside from a few newer tattoos he had gotten recently.

John’s lips twitched at the tattoo of Adam’s name that was normally hidden from view by his watch. Adam was learning to write and had so carefully written his name on the inside of John’s wrist. It was obviously a child’s writing and possibly dangerous to have a name on him in his line of work, but John wanted to make it permanent - so he did.

The tattoo also reminded him of the truth that had hurt the woman he loved. He looked up at Zatanna with a long sigh, feeling now was as good a time as any to explain what happened four years ago with Adam’s mother. “I owe you answers. You deserve to know the truth. So… what do you want to know first?”

Zatanna watched him go, concern written across her deep blue eyes but she held her tongue. He didn’t need her to coddle or berate him. He needed to pick himself up or they didn’t stand a chance of getting Az back. So instead she played the domestic card, straightening up the apartment as much as she possibly could without disturbing his days of work but making it livable at least.

When the food came, she took care of the bill and even set the table - knowing full well the smell would attract the other two shortly. She just had to have a seat and wait. She sat silently, her eyes tracking the half-clad man as he took a seat — waiting. And there it was. Finally he met her gaze and there was the question she had been waiting on. He was right, she deserved to know and she had many questions but right now there was just one.

“Is this why you left? On my birthday when you went freshen up.”

[dark-musngs]

trash-muse​:

Despite not hearing a spell uttered, John felt some of the tension leave his body at Zatanna’s touch as if it were magic. His closed his eyes as her forehead came to rest on his own, sighing at the same time and letting Z’s calming influence wash over him.

Opening his eyes again, John stared into her blue hues and shifted his hand away from the book to place it on her cheek. The worry in Zatanna’s eyes was the final straw, not caring that his behaviour was affecting himself but hating that others were dragged into his negative spiral.

“You’re right, love.” He whispered softly, handing control over to the beautiful woman before him.

Sighing again, John pulled himself away from Zatanna’s embrace and stood, a little unsteady on his feet as he’d been sitting in the chair too long pouring all his attention over the books. “I’m alright.” He assured, more so himself than Z, before he shuffled toward the kitchen. Reaching the fridge he opened the door and grabbed the milk carton, sniffing it and making a face.

“Don’t think I have anything here edible.” He looked down at himself then back to Z. “And if we’re going out, I’m going to need a shower.”

Zatanna reached up put her hand over his, leaning into his touch as she pulled him back into reality with her. She knew he was hurting but she also knew that nothing was more dangerous than a grief spiral. It wouldn’t help him feel any better and would just isolate and tear him down.

She took a step back as he rose to his feet but almost reached out as he wobbled a bit, not wanting to coddle him but wanting to make sure he was okay at the same time. Watching him with mild humor, she leaned against the door frame. “I already ordered some food in. I figured you wouldn’t want to go out but I agree, you do need a shower.”

[dark-musngs]

trash-muse​:

“Really?” Neron purred in disbelief. His cold eyes drilled into Asmodel like the angel was some bothersome little creature that didn’t know when to quit. But then again, that arrogance had always been present, Neron just had to break it. “You were told but you never listened. And now he’s going to leave you here to rot… unable to protect him… and the boy.”

The movement didn’t go unnoticed. So the angel had a soft spot for the boy. Try as he might, Asmodel couldn’t hide his feelings from Neron. The demon king knew what to pay attention to. The words Asmodel spoke said one thing but his actions spoke another.

“And that’s where you’re wrong again, Asmodel.” Neron teased wickedly. “You’re stuck. Dear Mr Necro has provided me with a lovely vessel.” He paused, waiting to see if Asmodel would catch on. “Young, strong, a little used but otherwise… perfect.”

Despite Neron’s apparent disconcern for the celestial being in front of him, as if he were a mere annoying gnat, they both knew the were not far from equals. The moment Asmodel had landed in hell, those in power had made sure to strip the angel of his wings to ensure there was no contest. Even now, the chains that bound him were excessive but necessary despite their cavalier demeanor. The angel could cause the demon king quite a bit of grief if not dealt with quickly. “What can I say, I have a bad habit of not doing what I’m told.” he sneered through blood stained teeth from a busted lip that had cracked open again.

His attitude dropped a bit at the mention of Necro. That son of....Az’s eyes began to glow but a ripping white pain coursed through his beaten vessel as the demon runes on the chains sensed the activation of his heaven;y powers. “....!” He faltered, his back slumping against the rocky wall behind him as his strength left him in a wave of pain. “....You will fail. If not by John than the Zatara witch.”

[dark-musngs]

trash-muse​:

John mouthed words to himself as he read the text before him, looking for some way to free Asmodel from his prison in Hell. He drew a sharp breath and his body stiffened at the hand on his shoulder, before the familiar voice of Zatanna pulled him out of his fixation on the books.

“I can’t.” The anguish at not being able to find an answer clear in his grumbled tone. However, despite his words, John slumped back in his chair away from the book, and tilted his head back to look at Z with a tired sigh. “Getting into Hell is not going to be a problem. It’s getting out.”

He felt so undeserving of Zatanna’s help, however she had refused to let him do it alone. John appreciated the help but he was also very aware of the cloud of truth that loomed over their heads. He had hurt Z by lying to her again and this time he wasn’t sure there was a way to fix it.

John’s attention went back to the table, eyes drifting over the open books before him. “If you want to go have a feed and a nap, go ahead, love. The kitchen and bed are all yours.”

Zatanna had not seen the man so broken up about something in a long time - it was a renubder that despite his typical facade he was a broken man underneath it all. Especially when it concerned those he cared for. While she had not seen it first hand, she could only imagine this was how he was when her father was taken - although that time she turned her back on him out of anger. She would not do that again.

As he leaned back, she draped her hands over his shoulders and leaned down, pressing her forehead to his with a sigh. “I know but maybe if you take a break the answer will come to you. Or let me help - two minds are better than one after all”

“John, Adam is worried about you. Take a break.”