“Erm … no, I don’t think that’s quite as common,” Jon answers, on the subject of fratricide. “But I suppose it depends on the family. Some of the royals throughout history have gone to rather extreme lengths regarding the line of succession.”

People are terrible to each other. Perhaps it’s the same for angels.

Jon balances his half-finished coffee in the crook of his elbow while he tugs the gloves on over his frigid fingers. They’re a good fit, like they were made specifically for his hands, and nicely warm. Task accomplished, he resumes sipping his coffee.

“Not at all,” he answers, then it occurs to him that perhaps Murmur is signaling that he’d like to be alone now. “Oh! Did you - erm, did you want me to leave you to it?”

It’s not always easy for Jon to pick up on when someone has tired of him and he’s outstayed his welcome. Perhaps that’s the current situation.

Or I could stay, if you’d like some company.

Jon quietly hopes it’s the latter.