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[alias_savant]

ᴠɪᴅᴇᴏ | ᴠᴏɪᴄᴇ | ᴛᴇxᴛ

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[alias_savant]

"I'm not. I'm not trying to be difficult."

He just doesn't think he's the right person for the job. He's still learning his way around Hell, and he doesn't want to make promises he can't keep. He also isn't sure that getting on this boat is where he should be either. Something about taking up a space that could go to someone who would be more effective doesn't sit right with him.

He also knows that this isn't all about his skills. This is about Elena wanting to know that he's safe, and he can't blame her for that.

"I'm just not sure if that's where I should be."

[buried]

She doesn't want to take that space up, either.

It's not the right time to make this choice. Not when they're still reeling from the broadcast. Not when she finally has the answers to her Leviathan-shaped questions. But they don't have that kind of time. She never has.

"There's the panic room."

Neal may be a thief, but he has a heart of gold. Elena knows he'll help if he sees need. But — there's the panic room, and he would be safe there above all, if he should choose it.

[alias_savant]

"A panic room."

He nods as he considers it, because yes. That's something he could do. Something low risk that doesn't rely on him making the right choices and using the right words, and ideally he'd still be safe. That seems fair enough.

"I can do that. And I can keep an eye on the girls too."

Because he's assuming their panic room bound as well.

[buried]

Aunt is the most recent title she has been honored with among several, and one that is of great importance to her. That Neal understands it — that he will be safe and watching over her girls — gives her a great deal of comfort.

Her shoulders sag with the weight of her relief, hand tightening on his. "Thank you."

[alias_savant]

"Of course."

He gives her shoulders as squeeze as he looks down at her with a smile, before nodding. He knows they don't have the time to really talk about what happened in Asgard, to really unpack what it means to Elena, not just him. But she has to get on a boat and he needs to figure out where this panic room is and the fastest way to get there.

For better or for worse.

"Be careful out there, okay? I'll see you when you get back."