Ilyna gives a small nod of agreement, before sighing. "I don't have anywhere to go anyway," she says, her voice heavy, "so I hope we'll... figure it out, but it'll take time."
#RedrockAgency – August 20, 2025
Jason gives a nod of his own, gaze briefly turning back to Justice as he continues to idly stroke the fur on the back of his neck before his focus returns to Ilyna. "We work together. We all see each other damn near every day." he says. "We're bound to get at each others' throats once in a while, ya know? Again-..." he shakes his head, "...not making excuses for her. Like I said, this never should've happened. Not like this, and
not over this. I'm just saying, don't get in your own head about it and start convincing yourself that this is gonna turn into something bigger. We've been through far too much shit together to let that happen, okay?"
Ilyna seems to be getting more frustrated by his words. "I didn't say that it is going to," she says. "The worst is behind us, but... this will stay with me for a while no matter how... unhelpful that is." She takes a deep breath and looks at Jason. "Let's... let it rest, please," she says.
Jason furrows his brow, the sudden whiplash of her implications drawing a bit of confusion from him, and he opens his mouth to speak. "I was just-..." he starts, but allows himself to trail off, gaze turning briefly to the side. The last thing he came here to do was spark up an argument of his own. "...Yeah." he agrees softly, offering a small nod to reinforce that decision. "Sorry."
Ilyna opens a drawer to take out a tissue to wipe under her eyes as tears start to roll down her cheeks. "Don't be. I... I just don't feel this is helpful right now," she says. "I'm... barely holding together,... and... I don't think I'm making myself understood."
Jason lifts a hand to dismiss Ilyna's concerns. "It's fine. You don't need to explain anything. Just-... know I'm always here if you want to talk, okay?"
Ilyna gives a weak nod. "I know, and... I appreciate that," she says, "but right now... I need time to think." She then glances away, a bit embarrassed as she adds, "and a hug."
Jason gives a dip of his head at Ilyna's first request. A small acknowledgement that he understands. But her second request draws out a snicker, smile finally resurfacing. He might not be able to wrap this whole ordeal up with a neat bow on top, but a hug? That he can do. As he rises to his feet, he brings his arms out to his side. "C'mere."
Ilyna gets up from her seat and rounds the desk to wrap her arms around him, and she stops holding back her emotions entirely as sobs break up her breathing. "Thank you," she whispers with a trembling voice.
Jason wraps his arms around Ilyna, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Any time..." he offers softly, seeming in no hurry to go anywhere. Justice rises to his haunches, watching the pair with a quizzical head tilt.