Jacob nodded slowly. It was easy to absorb sometimes. "In my line of work, well, family business, Em's experienced it too, you can't regret too many of your actions. It's done a number on my best mate, regret. It's...actually, I expect you'll end up seeing Shay at some point. He's been looking for someone to talk with." And the implication was that Jacob would go making recommendations there. "Point being that...you have one. I suppose it's harder when it feels like I directly caused it. But yes, there were a lot of times I felt like there was just one thing to do. Well, more than one thing but the others wouldn't have worked."
He supposed he always could have pulled Jack up, demanding to know what the hell he thought he was playing at, maybe coupled with a quick smack upside the head, but that wasn't really how he worked, or even how his father had. Much as they'd not seen eye to eye on...just about everything, actually, the idea of hitting anyone, like they were horses, not that you should hit animals either, was one of those points that they were in total agreement about. You had to allow for a basic sense of dignity. It had always seemed to Jacob that, despite the fact he loved a good fight, and bringing a fight to those who deserved it, that being an assassin was about fighting the people who deserved it, and only those people. Otherwise, you found other ways to get through to people.
"Would it have made anything different..." He glanced at Emmett biting his lip. Some of it? Probably so. But, well. It WAS true that it wasn't practical to dwell.
"I'd venture guessing that it's doubly true for you, Em. It's...you were a bloody child. And you're still....you been eighteen for just four months. I...sorry, I'll let the professional talk. After all, you'll probably listen more to him, eh?" He added, laughing weakly, considering the moment was, honestly kind of like a punch to the gut.
Emmett let the words wash over him, thinking about it. He did still feel like it was actually his fault, at least in part, but...
"D'you have any ideas for how I can think past that part of things? Instead of dwelling? Particularly when it's...he's like a spectre, looming HUGE over my future. Well, over the one I wanted."
The question had Jacob laughing nervously, as he looked at Emmett.
"I...should have said something, but I will admit...you made it clear you didn't want things happening. And that you wanted to make sure it didn't."