[Schuy let out a heavy breath but didn't otherwise more or respond, completely shutting down.]

[Mason returned with two bottles of pop, setting them on the table. He looked back and forth between the two men and sighed.] I should've seen this coming. I'm just so tired. At least I had the bagel.

[Jax looked between the two and shook his head]

[Schuy didn't flinch. Actually... he didn't move or react at all. ]

Because what's the point when I'm just going to lose everyone anyway!? It doesn't matter how long I stay here. You clearly don't see any difference in me so what's the point, Schuyler? You want a divorce so I'll figure everything else out on my own. And Mason doesn't need me! He has you!

You're in a goddamn loony bin, Jaxon! [Schuy shot before he could stop himself.]

[Jax opened and closed his mouth before looking around when Schuyler called it a loony bin. He closed his eyes as he continued before opening them to look at him]

Not snappin' at the person who just drove an hour in traffic to come see you the moment they finally express some frustration over how things have gone for damn near two years would've been a good first step.

You can't even look at me, Schuyler! [Jaxon protested] This is literally the first time you've looked at me since you got here. You're acting like you don't want to be here so yes, I asked you that because it's clear from your body language that you'd rather be anywhere else but here. [He said, getting frustrated at this point]

So now when it's something you feel strongly about, "we're married" is enough.

What do you want me to say, Schuyler? I'm trying to do better and I"m trying to sort everything out. I don't know what you want me to do right now.

That's what you are. [Schuyler said through gritted teeth.]

It makes it sound like we aren't married... And i'll get a real job.

...Why did I--your current legal partner, who you just acknowledged has been hurt by you in a way you can't easily fix--still choose, after all that, to drive all the way out here to come see you in this damn hospital, [Schuy repeated the question slowly in his own words.]

Your 'legal partner'. Okay... [Jax said, nodding his head a little, folding his arms over his chest]

[Schuy couldn't help the scoff that fell out his mouth.] If this has been you 'bottled up', I'd hate to see what you're like at your 'worst'...

[Jaxon looked over at him and opened his mouth before closing it again. He took a moment before speaking]

So I'm just supposed believe that after damn-near two years of you treatin' us worse by the day, that you just--... what? Woke up one day outta the blue and decided to be a better person?

I'm asking you to believe me when I say I'm working through all of it. That I'm working through things that I've been holding onto and bottling up for decades. That I'm working through the way I've been treating those that I love and coming to terms with the fact that I've been a horrible brother and husband. I'm working on finding ways to better communicate my thoughts and feelings in a way that that's healthy and isn't me projecting them onto people. So yes... I'm asking you to believe me that I'm trying to be a better person. I'm not asking you to fully believe that I've changed, because I haven't. That takes time and isn't something that I can do overnight. I just... I need you to believe that I'm working through it and am doing things every day that helps me learn how to be better.

...The last 18 months of our lives say differently.

And I'm doing what I can to fix that, Schuyler...

[Mason sighed and took the money, humming the Fanta jingle song as he walked away.]

[Schuyler waited until Mason was out of earshot to speak again.] ...I need to know if you're actually gonna keep up with any of this shit once you're out of here, [He whispered through gritted teeth, his gaze still cast down towards the table.]

[Jaxon watched his brother walk off before looking over to Schuyler again]

Yeah, of course. There's no rush.

[Silently, Schuy reached into his pocket, grabbed his wallet, and pulled out a $5 bill.] ...Mason, I think I saw a vending machine by the check-in desk. Can you get me a Fanta? [He asked as he slid the bill across the table.]

[Jax just nodded and sat back as Schuyler handed Mason the money]

That'd be nice. I'm sure she'd appreciate it. [Mason nodded.] One of the queens, yeah.

...Right... [Schuy mumbled in response to Jaxon before staring down at his coffee cup again.]

If you know her address, could you give it to the ladies at the front desk before you go so I can get it from them? [Jax asked]

[Mason couldn't stop his eyes from rolling dramatically. Pretty much on the same level of communication they were before.]

[By now, Schuy knew what was up once Mason started bringing up random shit to talk about. With a sigh, he set his cup down, crossed his arms, and finally glanced in Jaxon's direction.] ...So how much longer you stuck here for?

That's good. I need to write to Madison... Is Brandy one of your friends that you made at work?

[There was so much fun gossip Schuy was leaving out, though Mason was pretty sure he wouldn't know it even under normal circumstances. ]

[Schuy shrugged, still looking everywhere but Jaxon.] Boss has been pretty hands off lately. Guess he's... givin' me time... since... Ariel told him you were in the hospital or whatever...

Oh... [Jax said, not know what else to say at this point. He figured if Schuyler couldn't even look at him, what was the point?]

He means Austin boss. It was his idea. I do believe he really thought I'd be a good fit. And I made some friends, which is nice.

'sfine, [Schuy murmured.] Pretty much the same revolvin' door of fresh meat...

That's amasing, Mase. I'm really happy for you! [Jaxon said before nodding at what Schuyler said]

In a shocking surprise to absolutely no one... I'm working at Emerald City. As the emcee for the girls. Pays to know people.

[Schuy nodded slowly.] ...Boss' idea, I guess... Good call from him.

Mason, that's awesome! [Jax told him, excitedly] I'm sure even if you didn't know Ben and Bax you'd have gotten it. Your personality is great.