Oliver's eyes closed again as Jerome's shout felt like it pierced his skull, exhaling hard and feeling his left ear painlessly pop slightly, as if pressure had equalized somehow. As the dialogue around him continued, he felt himself slowly starting to drift back into it. Still not good, per se. Still not even sure if he felt unbearably hot or freezing cold at the moment, but managing to more firmly follow along again. When Edwin looked to him it took a heartbeat before he felt himself nod once in return, not really sure what he was relaying or agreeing to, just knowing that whatever the elf decided to do, as long as it wasn't moving, he'd somehow provide what support he could.
As Edwin turned back to Joe, Oliver turned to Jerome, continuing to inhale through his nose and exhale through his mouth as he gestured with his head towards the stairs. The action was almost heavy, like he'd gained a hundred pounds in the past few minutes and it was all pressing down on his shoulders, but there was no hardness in it, no condemnation. He hoped Jerome would get the hint that, maybe for now, taking a break from the situation would be better for everyone, and that he was asking, not ordering. Taking his own advice would have been great, like usual, but not without Edwin.