TLV IC Inbox

[inthebiblicalsense]

[In a very serious, business tone, Abel's answering machine sounds after any attempted calls that aren't responded to right away.]

You've reached Abel. I am not available at the moment, but I'll get back to you as soon as I can. If this is urgent, leave the line open.

And if this is Fitz I hope you're having a good day.

Comments

[reargunner]

I already fucking told him I'm not one of his army buddies.

[They had that conversation already, and Alexei managing to verbalise why he kept getting so frustrated seemed to help some, but it doesn't take away that unwanted connection forcing them both to be part of a system they aren't interested in participating in.]

... I don't want anything to do with being seen like that by anyone. [His brow furrows again.] I know—... we have similarities. But that isn't special. So do me and Arthur, or me and John. That isn't...

[Huff. He pinches the bridge of his nose then rubs his face quickly.]

I hate... I hate not having control over it. It's just—... another thing that's been pulled out of my hands.

[inthebiblicalsense]

[He at least can understand that kind of frustration. He thought he made choices for himself, had succeeded through his own merit rather than someone else orchestrating every bit of his life for the six years he'd been in the alliance. It had taken him almost a year to full accept that it had even happened at all, that he hadnt been in control.]

Would it help to focus on the things you do have control over?

I know you hate this, and I can't fix it, but I do want to help you. No one likes feeling helpless...

[reargunner]

I keep trying to do that. I do. I guess... it's why I came around to this.

[A small gesture at the tablet and the half-done sketches. He's quiet for a few moments.]

I can choose who I spend time with. Who my friends are. What I do with my day and when I do it. [There's an odd, forced evenness about his voice.] But it doesn't take the background noise away. That this place is just a prison, and I'm trapped here.

[He closes his eyes, takes a breath in and lets it out. His fingernails slowly disengage from where they'd dug into his palms.]

... Sorry. [Sigh.] I know you want to fix it, and I know you can't, and I know that's hard. I just can't pretend to be okay all the time.

[inthebiblicalsense]

Acting like and pretending things are fine feels safe...I know that, but... even if its uncomfortable for me? I don't need or want you to feel like you have to pretend with me all the time. That isn't fair to you.

[He gives him a gentle shake, attempting a smile.]

You don't usually talk to me about these things, and...honestly, even if it truly sucks, and I hate that you feel this way, I don't hate that you feel comfortable enough to say something.

I don't have to fix things, as much as I want to. You trusting me to listen, even though we both know im solution oriented, that's...this feels right. That you're not doing it by yourself.

[reargunner]

[He studies Ethan for a few quiet moments, then smiles softly and leans over to rest his head against the other man's shoulder. He nudges his head up gently into the curve of Ethan's neck.]

I know I don't have to do it all by myself.

[Alexei has been shown that, and he does understand, even if there are some things he still keeps under wraps.]

But— I'd like to be able to do more of it with you.

[inthebiblicalsense]

[Something warms in his chest, raising his arm and putting it around Alexei to squeeze his shoulder, resting his chin on top of his head.]

I'd like that too, even if I might fuck it up sometimes... I don't do it on purpose, but I think I'm getting better.

We both are, and it's nice, to have the time to grow together, you know? That's...As much as I wish you weren't trapped here, I get to spend this time with you, away from home, the Alliance, the war? [A breath, short before he releases it, pressing a kiss to his hair.]

I couldn't ask for this, but I'm glad we're here together if we have to be here at all.

[reargunner]

[Mm. That's nice. Sometimes - a lot more than he used to, really - he prefers these moments of soft intimacy over other, more carnal things. He listens to what Ethan says and lets out a little snort, a huff, but doesn't argue.

Ethan's being sappy. He'll allow it.]

Yeah. [He'd rather not be trapped here too, but he supposes it could be worse...]

... I guess we should sketch out a backup plan in case the Admiral doesn't like the idea of a loft. [Because the Admiral is an ass, and Alexei wants to have something to fall back on so he's not disappointed if he says no.]

[inthebiblicalsense]

[He doesnt get to be sentimental often or openly when he wants to, so he just smiles into Alexei's hair when he humors him.]

You want to relax on the couch? Read a book or something? I can do a few different mock ups while you wait, we can work shop what you like about them after?