IC Inbox - Duplicity

[caycay]

You've reached Cay-Cay! Feeling Cray-Cray?
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[chopoffyourhead]

[There's a surprised blink, and then a softened look of thoughtfulness.]

... I don't think it ever really occurred to me just how much pain I was in back then. I was just... angry. Angry at a lot of things. Angry at myself, too.

Then I came here and... I was still angry. And scared. I had to rely on other people for my personal needs more than ever.

But they insisted on patience with myself while I struggled. That patience gave me room to breathe, think, and be more present. And... I think that was a first for me in a long time. Before then, I was always stuck in the past or the future.

[His thumb strokes Cater's cheek.]

It sounds like you're in a similar kind of trap.

[caycay]

[Completely understanding, Cater nods. Of course, his own pain was--and has been--moreso ignored than unrecognized. Certainly, there are plenty of other feelings he's been denying to acknowledge, as well, especially in Duplicity.]

It takes a lot to admit when you have a problem...and even more to ask for help.

[He's done plenty of thinking, plenty of self-reflection and discussion. But every time he's faced with a choice to be open and honest...he chokes up, falls back on old habits. Cater spent so long having no hands held out to him for support that now what they're there, it's a scary thought, trusting they won't let him flounder.]

You've really worked hard on yourself. You've come a long way.

[chopoffyourhead]

[Riddle nods in return. Especially considering how prideful he could be. And yet, he was shown such patience and kindness that that resistance too slowly melted away.]

I was fortunate enough to have some really wonderful help.

And now I'm going to pay that forward to you. One day, one step at a time.