[He doesn't have a death price. It's a valuable piece of information, it makes the experiment not a total loss, that the eye application could at least stave off that much. He rolls his eyes, it's obvious he thinks John is just trying to deflect.]
You must have argued recently.
[His voice turns more musing, working things out bit by bit.]
Unlikely to be over food or other supplies. Either he has done something you consider reprehensible, or you have done something he considers so. You will bend on most things, it's a habit left over from childhood to placate a situation and try to, fruitlessly, appease everyone around you. So it's something even you won't bend on. He has killed someone-- No, that makes no sense, he isn't a senseless murderer. Gang leader, perhaps; psychopath, no. There aren't many people here deserving of being killed so--
[Of course, it's been staring him in the face. Hadn't they just had the Joker in their custody? The one person most people want to see gone, and someone both Alfie and John have a hatred for thanks to the woman dead before he got here. Finley, or something like that.]
He wanted you to kill the Joker. Revenge killings aren't really your style, John.
You're making a good argument for them at the moment, Sherlock. [John grits his teeth. The fact that Sherlock can cut straight to the heart of things is amazing, per usual. But God that's not the thing to focus on right-]
I'm dealing with it. I don't need you to weigh in on how I deal with my friends. Thanks. And I'm not... I've already told him what I won't do. That's still not what this is about.
I left and you committed suicide back home. I left and you committed suicide here. I'm beginning to see a pattern. You told me to stay with you after the murder night, Sherlock. I didn't, and... you died.
[His eyes widen and something akin to guilt flashes across his face. He's hurt John again, something he apologised for at the wedding and intended not to do again. He's trapped he can't confess that he's not truly dead, and so he just looks shamed.
His voice is hesitant and softer than usual. He's not good at heartfelt moments.]
None of my actions can be laid at your feet, John. You have never done me any wrong, and I have consistently wronged you. [A beat.] I am sorry.
[John closes his eye and shakes his head for a moment.]
You're not gonna remember this in 20 seconds, Sherlock. We need to talk about this, but not like this. Sylar told me in the books it's all a fake, anyway. The first one. God, I wish it were true.
Just... just get to shelter. I'll call you back and ask where you are later if you don't think to call me first.
[He wants so much to tell John that his wishes were true, but he cannot. It's a risk he simply cannot take, for so many reasons. He will remember to have words with Gabriel, the man has become too dangerous.]
I'm sorry, John.
[It sounds as if he's apologising for it being true, for jumping, and he won't correct that assumption.]
I will speak to you later tonight.
[He hesitates a moment and then hangs up. Within two minutes he's completely forgotten he spoke to John at all, and he definitely won't remember to call that night.]
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Never mind.
This isn't about Alfie, Sherlock. It's about you. And the fact your death price is turning into that bloody blue fish from "Finding Nemo."
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You must have argued recently.
[His voice turns more musing, working things out bit by bit.]
Unlikely to be over food or other supplies. Either he has done something you consider reprehensible, or you have done something he considers so. You will bend on most things, it's a habit left over from childhood to placate a situation and try to, fruitlessly, appease everyone around you. So it's something even you won't bend on. He has killed someone-- No, that makes no sense, he isn't a senseless murderer. Gang leader, perhaps; psychopath, no. There aren't many people here deserving of being killed so--
[Of course, it's been staring him in the face. Hadn't they just had the Joker in their custody? The one person most people want to see gone, and someone both Alfie and John have a hatred for thanks to the woman dead before he got here. Finley, or something like that.]
He wanted you to kill the Joker. Revenge killings aren't really your style, John.
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I'm dealing with it. I don't need you to weigh in on how I deal with my friends. Thanks. And I'm not... I've already told him what I won't do. That's still not what this is about.
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[He's got the bit between his teeth now, he's not letting go yet.]
Slumped shoulders, defensive posture, obvious preoccupation with an unresolved feeling of guilt.
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[Now that is a successful deflection. And clearly the answer is no.]
video (cw: talk of suicide)
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His voice is hesitant and softer than usual. He's not good at heartfelt moments.]
None of my actions can be laid at your feet, John. You have never done me any wrong, and I have consistently wronged you. [A beat.] I am sorry.
video (cw: talk of suicide)
You're not gonna remember this in 20 seconds, Sherlock. We need to talk about this, but not like this. Sylar told me in the books it's all a fake, anyway. The first one. God, I wish it were true.
Just... just get to shelter. I'll call you back and ask where you are later if you don't think to call me first.
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I'm sorry, John.
[It sounds as if he's apologising for it being true, for jumping, and he won't correct that assumption.]
I will speak to you later tonight.
[He hesitates a moment and then hangs up. Within two minutes he's completely forgotten he spoke to John at all, and he definitely won't remember to call that night.]