Even an arse eventually knows that it's time to pull back and end the game, even if it meant breaking down their own stubborn pride. It was, as Athena set down the beer and started towards the door that he realized things had just gone too far. Pushing off the wall he was leaning against and setting his own beer down, he looked over at Jeremy.

"Leave."

It was all he said. Jeremy, mouth open, looked about to argue but, knowing Darby well enough, he knew that now wasn't the time. Giving a shrug that clearly spoke volumes, Jeremy, beer in hand, slipped his feet into his flip-flops under the cinderblock and woodplank coffee table and, moving past Athena, he headed out to see who might be around in the courtyard.

The door shut and Darby, looking uncomfortable, spoke.

"Yeah. I'll do it."

He paused and, Athena looking like she still intended to leave, he moved quickly towards her, his hand grabbing her own to stop her from going any further. "I've been a fuck up."