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[acautionarytale]

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[tookhishand]

He's floored, utterly speechless for what seems like a long time as he tries to process. That stings--who would say something like that about him?

...Peter. He caught the little flicker of October's eyes towards the man.

"That's... not true. Peter didn't know we knew each other... and spoke out of turn. Just a inconvenient misunderstanding." Surely there's nothing more to the lie.

He stands up from the chair, touching the back of his neck in an old nervous habit. "I have a lot of questions, October. Why don't we get some fresh air?"

[acautionarytale]

Astrid puts a hand on Donald's shoulder, pressing down gently. "No, you're recovering, and it's not safe for him to go out right now."

She eyes Peter, then sighs.

"You two do need to talk, though."

"Come on, Peter, let's see what's in your closet."

[emotionisweakness]

Peter blinks, not sure if he's heard her correctly. "My closet?" Seriously, Astrid, that's the best excuse you can come up with? But he follows her into the bedroom, giving the other two a backwards glance as if to assure himself they aren't going anywhere.

They'd better not go anywhere.

[tookhishand]

Donald... won't. As badly as he wants not to be overheard. What is going on with Peter?

He's keeping his voice down, sorrowed somewhat. "I'm sorry. I had no idea you were alive."

[acautionarytale]

October watches them leave, then looks back at Donald.

"We had... been cut off, ourselves, somewhat, ever since we lost December. There was no communication at all."

He unwraps the sandwich and takes a small bite, not tasting anything, as usual.

"We... were abandoned. Left to our own devices. They considered us aberrant but not dangerous. We were... adrift."

[tookhishand]

He takes his seat back, behaving and not going anywhere.

"He... hadn't told me anyone lived. I couldn't have done anything if I'd known, I was fitted with a tracking device. I would have led everyone straight to you." Same reason he could never see Michael...

And he nods. "November first, as soon as we find a safe place for you to recover."

[acautionarytale]

October blinks at him.

"No, it is wise that you did not go looking. I do not... blame you for not doing so."

"I will need to accompany you. I... know where he is." He looks back at the door. "Do you... trust them?"

[tookhishand]

Another nod. As much as it makes to seem to make October sad... he was trapped against the wall for twenty years.

"Of course. I do." Astrid, for sure. Peter... "I think it should be the two of us. They've been through a lot."

[acautionarytale]

"I... suspect the woman may object. You are... recovering from something?"

He looks a little bit worried.

[tookhishand]

"Astrid." He's fond of her, of them all. "She... I trust more." You can't keep a secret, October, but...

"I was shot while we were finishing our plan. No danger now."

[acautionarytale]

"'Astrid.' I will remember that," October answers solemnly.

His head tilts and he regards Donald for a moment. The former Observer looks worn and tired and a bit... wobbly.

"Maybe we can take her with us."

[tookhishand]

"We need time to plan this out. You need a few good meals and a new look... and you haven't told me how far away November is."

[acautionarytale]

October looks down at the half-eaten sandwich.

"You are right. I... got ahead of myself. I do not know why. I can tell you where he is if I have a map of the immediate area. He is... not far from here."

[tookhishand]

Dismissive, because if he's taking charge... food and clothes come first. Save October, then November.

"I'll get one. You should eat."

[acautionarytale]

Yes. Yes, it is. Would you rather she'd said 'Oh, god, Peter, I gotta have you--you, me, bedroom, now'?

She walks into the bedroom and goes right for the closet, opening it and putting her hands on her hips.

[emotionisweakness]

It would have made him smile, at least.

"Astrid... why are you in my closet?" Peter figured it was an excuse to give September and his friend some privacy, but here she is really going through his things. Not that there's much in there. A few changes of clothes and a lot of dust bunnies. Oh, and a small box full of Olivia-things she absolutely should not look inside.

[acautionarytale]

Yes, yes she is. She pulls a few items of clothing from his closet and throws them on the bed.

"We can't take October anywhere looking like he does, so to start with, he's gonna have to wear something of yours," she says briskly.

She spies the box, next, and her curiosity gets the better of her and she opens it. "Peter...."

[emotionisweakness]

"Where are you taking him?" Peter almost seems annoyed at the prospect. His Observer, dammit. He found him.

And ah... the box. He steps up to Astrid quickly, jaw set, and reaches out with a firm but gentle hand to close the box she's holding again.

"Don't."

[acautionarytale]

"My place. He and Donald need to talk, and Donald's staying with me, anyway."

The reaction to the box makes her go quiet, and she surrenders it easily.

"Peter, what happened?"

[emotionisweakness]

He places the box carefully back on the closet shelf before bothering to respond.

"Nothing happened. That's the problem." And then, "I don't think we should move him."

[acautionarytale]

"They both need to go someplace warm, someplace... not so... empty."

Astrid looks about the place, then gathers up the clothing. "If any of these fit October I'll return them when I get him some of his own."

[emotionisweakness]

"Astrid--" he throws his hands up in exasperation. "They don't care about furniture or clothes. This Observer-- he's not the same as Donald."

[acautionarytale]

She'd been heading for the door and then turns to look at him.

"You don't know that. Did you see the look on his face when he described what happened to the others? I know you hate them, but he's not like the Invaders, either. He... has the potential to be more like Donald."

[emotionisweakness]

He just stares at her, expression tight and pained.

"You're making a mistake."

[acautionarytale]

"Why's that?" Astrid challenges, looking defiantly up at him.