[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

[Schuy let out a heavy breath but didn't otherwise more or respond, completely shutting down.]

@masonmccheers

[masonmccheers]

[Mason returned with two bottles of pop, setting them on the table. He looked back and forth between the two men and sighed.] I should've seen this coming. I'm just so tired. At least I had the bagel.

[jaxonmccarthy]

[Jax looked between the two and shook his head]

I'll let you know when I leave here so I can go get my stuff out of the apartment. Thanks for stopping by. [Jax said before turning to leave the room]

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

[Schuy didn't flinch. Actually... he didn't move or react at all. ]

...I'm givin' you the chance for free mental health services at the best facility in the state so you have the chance to continue workin' on yourself whether we're together or not. And instead of seein' that for the act of love it is, you'd rather check yourself out right now as one last 'fuck you' to me and Mason. [He recapped slowly, growing more numb by the word.]

...Fine. [He said, completely monotone by that point.] ...Do whatever you want.

[jaxonmccarthy]

Because what's the point when I'm just going to lose everyone anyway!? It doesn't matter how long I stay here. You clearly don't see any difference in me so what's the point, Schuyler? You want a divorce so I'll figure everything else out on my own. And Mason doesn't need me! He has you!

[Jax said, the tears finally forming in his eyes]

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

You're in a goddamn loony bin, Jaxon! [Schuy shot before he could stop himself.]

Of course I can't look at you! Of course I don't want to be here! I have dreaded the idea of bein' locked up in one of these-- [He gestured wildly--] things every. fuckin'. day of my life. I spent years promisin' I'd do anything it took to not end up like Emma and all that gave me was the sick irony of ending up like Will instead, [he spat.]

I would rather be anywhere on this goddamn planet than here right now. But I came anyway! Because I hoped that maybe--just maybe--after some weeks in this fancy-ass, expensive-ass facility, that when I finally showed up... [He swallowed hard and dropped his voice to a whisper, casting his gaze back down at the long-empty cup on the table.] I'd see the man I fell in love with. And not... whoever this is.

[Schuy kept his gaze down and swallowed hard.] ...Jaxon, I'll keep you on my insurance and pay all your bills from this, but once you're out... I-I want a divorce.

[jaxonmccarthy]

[Jax opened and closed his mouth before looking around when Schuyler called it a loony bin. He closed his eyes as he continued before opening them to look at him]

Why even bother waiting if that's what you want? [He asked softly, not even looking at the other anymore. He stood up and ran his hands through his hair] I'll just check myself out now and we can get it overwith. Fuck it all.

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

Not snappin' at the person who just drove an hour in traffic to come see you the moment they finally express some frustration over how things have gone for damn near two years would've been a good first step.

And thinkin' twice about askin' your current husband [Schuy finally looked at Jaxon as he stressed the word] why he "even bothered comin' up here" [He sarcastically did the air quotes] would've been a damn good second step.

And the fact that either they haven't taught you that yet or you haven't absorbed it yet makes me question what the hell I'm spendin' all this money for, Jaxon.

[jaxonmccarthy]

You can't even look at me, Schuyler! [Jaxon protested] This is literally the first time you've looked at me since you got here. You're acting like you don't want to be here so yes, I asked you that because it's clear from your body language that you'd rather be anywhere else but here. [He said, getting frustrated at this point]

Then don't pay for it! I'll pay for it myself. Take my name off everything and I'll just do it myself.

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

So now when it's something you feel strongly about, "we're married" is enough.

...The bills don't start when you leave here, Jaxon.

[jaxonmccarthy]

What do you want me to say, Schuyler? I'm trying to do better and I"m trying to sort everything out. I don't know what you want me to do right now.

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

That's what you are. [Schuyler said through gritted teeth.]

[He paused for a long while, taking a glance around the room before returning his gaze to the table.] ...With what insurance and money from what job? [He whispered.]

[jaxonmccarthy]

It makes it sound like we aren't married... And i'll get a real job.

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

...Why did I--your current legal partner, who you just acknowledged has been hurt by you in a way you can't easily fix--still choose, after all that, to drive all the way out here to come see you in this damn hospital, [Schuy repeated the question slowly in his own words.]

...Wow.

...And remind me how much this place is costin' me a day, again?

[jaxonmccarthy]

Your 'legal partner'. Okay... [Jax said, nodding his head a little, folding his arms over his chest]

Don't worry about it. I'll pay for it myself.

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

[Schuy couldn't help the scoff that fell out his mouth.] If this has been you 'bottled up', I'd hate to see what you're like at your 'worst'...

[jaxonmccarthy]

[Jaxon looked over at him and opened his mouth before closing it again. He took a moment before speaking]

I understand that I hurt you. And I understand it's not going to be easy to believe me. I just... don't understand why you came if you're just going to scoff at me and not even look at me the entire time you're here.

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

So I'm just supposed believe that after damn-near two years of you treatin' us worse by the day, that you just--... what? Woke up one day outta the blue and decided to be a better person?

[jaxonmccarthy]

I'm asking you to believe me when I say I'm working through all of it. That I'm working through things that I've been holding onto and bottling up for decades. That I'm working through the way I've been treating those that I love and coming to terms with the fact that I've been a horrible brother and husband. I'm working on finding ways to better communicate my thoughts and feelings in a way that that's healthy and isn't me projecting them onto people. So yes... I'm asking you to believe me that I'm trying to be a better person. I'm not asking you to fully believe that I've changed, because I haven't. That takes time and isn't something that I can do overnight. I just... I need you to believe that I'm working through it and am doing things every day that helps me learn how to be better.

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

...The last 18 months of our lives say differently.

[jaxonmccarthy]

And I'm doing what I can to fix that, Schuyler...

[masonmccheers]

[Mason sighed and took the money, humming the Fanta jingle song as he walked away.]

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

[Schuyler waited until Mason was out of earshot to speak again.] ...I need to know if you're actually gonna keep up with any of this shit once you're out of here, [He whispered through gritted teeth, his gaze still cast down towards the table.]

[jaxonmccarthy]

[Jaxon watched his brother walk off before looking over to Schuyler again]

Why do you think I checked myself in here? This isn't some game for me, Schuyler.

[masonmccheers]

Yeah, of course. There's no rush.

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

[Silently, Schuy reached into his pocket, grabbed his wallet, and pulled out a $5 bill.] ...Mason, I think I saw a vending machine by the check-in desk. Can you get me a Fanta? [He asked as he slid the bill across the table.]

[jaxonmccarthy]

[Jax just nodded and sat back as Schuyler handed Mason the money]

[masonmccheers]

That'd be nice. I'm sure she'd appreciate it. [Mason nodded.] One of the queens, yeah.

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

...Right... [Schuy mumbled in response to Jaxon before staring down at his coffee cup again.]

[jaxonmccarthy]

If you know her address, could you give it to the ladies at the front desk before you go so I can get it from them? [Jax asked]

I don't know if I'll be able to write to her tonight. It's game night tonight and I've been trying to go to all the community events they host for us. It helps work on social skills and being able to express emotions in positive and safe way. Especially since we all know I don't like losing. It's been a good way to work on things.

[masonmccheers]

[Mason couldn't stop his eyes from rolling dramatically. Pretty much on the same level of communication they were before.]

Noves and Mads are doing fine too. Just... so everyone knows.

Also my friend Brandy has a hedgehog planter named Roberto.

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

[By now, Schuy knew what was up once Mason started bringing up random shit to talk about. With a sigh, he set his cup down, crossed his arms, and finally glanced in Jaxon's direction.] ...So how much longer you stuck here for?

[jaxonmccarthy]

That's good. I need to write to Madison... Is Brandy one of your friends that you made at work?

[Jaxon looked over to schuyler again and shrugged a little]

Honestly since I checked myself in, I can check myself out whenever I feel ready to do so. And getting to see and talk to both of you is a really good step for me. The doctors have mentioned that talking with family and letting the see and experience you here is a big thing.

[masonmccheers]

[There was so much fun gossip Schuy was leaving out, though Mason was pretty sure he wouldn't know it even under normal circumstances. ]

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

[Schuy shrugged, still looking everywhere but Jaxon.] Boss has been pretty hands off lately. Guess he's... givin' me time... since... Ariel told him you were in the hospital or whatever...

[jaxonmccarthy]

Oh... [Jax said, not know what else to say at this point. He figured if Schuyler couldn't even look at him, what was the point?]

[masonmccheers]

He means Austin boss. It was his idea. I do believe he really thought I'd be a good fit. And I made some friends, which is nice.

[Mason glanced over at Schuy.]

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

'sfine, [Schuy murmured.] Pretty much the same revolvin' door of fresh meat...

[jaxonmccarthy]

That's amasing, Mase. I'm really happy for you! [Jaxon said before nodding at what Schuyler said]

And your art? How're you and Ariel doing with that?

[masonmccheers]

In a shocking surprise to absolutely no one... I'm working at Emerald City. As the emcee for the girls. Pays to know people.

[schuylerpillsburyschuester]

[Schuy nodded slowly.] ...Boss' idea, I guess... Good call from him.

[jaxonmccarthy]

Mason, that's awesome! [Jax told him, excitedly] I'm sure even if you didn't know Ben and Bax you'd have gotten it. Your personality is great.

[Jax looked towards Schuyler] How's sercurity going there?