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

[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.