[Ronan's jaw tightens at that and he's clearly displeased with the situation as more details arise, but he knows better than to veto it when they're already this far in. Even so, the idea of Adam ceasing to breathe strikes a little too close to what he thinks probably happened to Persephone, and Ronan doesn't like it.
The decision weighs heavily on him for the next few seconds, and it seems to stretch on for ages. He doesn't want Adam to do this, but Adam wants to do this, he's worried about Adam, but he's also worried about Gansey. There's no elegant solution. For a moment, Ronan tries to figure out what Gansey would want him to do, if he'd think that stopping Adam now would be best so they don't wind up losing anything precious... or if his intense need for knowledge would win out and he'd let Adam take the plunge.
In the end, it comes down to trust. Ronan knows that Adam doesn't value himself very much, but he also knows that the other boy is at least aware of how much he means and how integral his safety is to Ronan's happiness. He knows that Adam is wickedly smart and thinks fast on his feet, he knows that Adam wouldn't just throw his life away for nothing, that he's worked too hard to let something like this take him. He knows that Adam trusts him.
That's what this has to be about, he thinks. Mutual trust.
Slowly, Ronan pulls his hand back from the bowl, exposing the water beneath. Please, he thinks, don't let this be a mistake.]
...okay.
[He nods, situating himself a little more comfortably. Telling Adam to be fucking careful doesn't really need to be said, but Ronan does it anyway, his stare razor-focused and intense.]
no subject
The decision weighs heavily on him for the next few seconds, and it seems to stretch on for ages. He doesn't want Adam to do this, but Adam wants to do this, he's worried about Adam, but he's also worried about Gansey. There's no elegant solution. For a moment, Ronan tries to figure out what Gansey would want him to do, if he'd think that stopping Adam now would be best so they don't wind up losing anything precious... or if his intense need for knowledge would win out and he'd let Adam take the plunge.
In the end, it comes down to trust. Ronan knows that Adam doesn't value himself very much, but he also knows that the other boy is at least aware of how much he means and how integral his safety is to Ronan's happiness. He knows that Adam is wickedly smart and thinks fast on his feet, he knows that Adam wouldn't just throw his life away for nothing, that he's worked too hard to let something like this take him. He knows that Adam trusts him.
That's what this has to be about, he thinks. Mutual trust.
Slowly, Ronan pulls his hand back from the bowl, exposing the water beneath. Please, he thinks, don't let this be a mistake.]
...okay.
[He nods, situating himself a little more comfortably. Telling Adam to be fucking careful doesn't really need to be said, but Ronan does it anyway, his stare razor-focused and intense.]
Don't let it get you.