In some ways, this wasn't his story to tell. In other ways, well... Finn was asking, and Jermaine couldn't remember the last time Finn looked to him with a question like that. It was always Jake, whether or not their brother was ever willing to give a straight answer.

With a sigh, Jermaine dug at the tiles with a finger. He traced the grooves between the stones, thoughtful.

"Jake couldn't be in the house anymore. Too many memories. And... he had a few other reasons for needing to get out of town." The latter was said with a little less sympathy than the former. "Jake decided to take you and live at the treehouse before we even finished burying them. I never asked to come along and he didn't offer. Someone had to stay and take care of our parents estate, y'know?"

As he spoke, Jermaine realizes how he was painting their brother. The brother they were here to save, whom Jermaine dearly loved, despite all this baggage.

"But I think he also was worried about you. Jake loves a fresh start. Treehouse gave both of you that." He heaves a sigh. "I didn't at the time, but I guess I can understand why he did it."