For a moment the boy is stiff in his arms before weakly giving in, just as he had that time in the cave before he'd had to be taken to the winter court. He didn't think he could come up with anything. How could someone make up for almost killing him, getting him stuck in a place that hated him and now apparently wanted to kill him like EVERY OTHER FIGGENEN BEING HE'D KNOWN BUT LILA, and quite a bit more?!

Actually, Ash never wanted to kill him. He would've never been able to bring himself to do it. At least, not while he still had control over his brain. He just had to say something to get Jason and Puck out. Especially since the war had started, they both could've been killed on sight.

But Jason hadn't known that. He had assumed that all the sweet stuff and hand holding and stuff had meant nothing. He still thought that, with the slightest sliver of worry, Ash at one point would do it anyway.

With Jason's knowledge, it was very possible. Of course, Ash would never, but Jason did have a very good reason--a few very good reasons--to think that.

Their relationship with one another was complicated and fragile, both had to be careful where they step. But it's like walking on a tightrope now, it just took the slightest mis balance or push.

Yup. And I don't think this time there's any safety net, nothing to fall back on

So the two could go crashing down, and I don't think they could get back up and try again.

Right. They've already taken so many tumbles...

And some could only take so many falls before they couldn't get up again.

Right. Ash was honestly surprised that Jason hadn't given up on him yet