lifetothefullest | [IC Inbox]

You could say that, although not in terms of your particular situation.

[He's never been torn between two people at once; not really, anyway. But his relationships have definitely been challenges, even if this time he thinks he finally got it right.

Too bad he's going to die and it won't matter, but he'll just... Try not to think about that, although his expression falters briefly before he can hide it.]

[ Drake catches that -- he's an expert at reading people, after all, his life kind of depended on it back home. Even if he's been failing at it in the area where it matters to him lately. ]

...you wanna talk about it? Whatever it is that just put that look on your face. I'm not a therapist but I'm a good listener.

[For just a moment, Lance considers it--Drake would understand in a way most people wouldn't, considering his situation--but he can't. With this place being like it is it's not like normal rules about what's appropriate necessarily apply, but he still thinks it'd be crossing a line to tell Drake exactly because Lance knows he'd understand. It'd affect any further counseling Drake might need, and since Lance is the only mental health professional in Hadriel who's taking any clients, it'd be wrong to knowingly make himself less helpful to someone who might need it.

So, finally, he shakes his head a little, offering a weak smile.]

I appreciate the offer, but I'm okay. Thank you, though.

If you're actually okay. This isn't some kind of professional distance thing? =

[Why do you do this? Is this what it's like for other people when Lance doesn't let them get away with this sort of thing?

His options here are either to tell the truth or lie, and he's a terrible liar.]

That's part of it.

[Most of it. The rest of it is that Lance is secretive and hesitant to actually trust people, although he doesn't think there's any risk in that sense as far as telling Drake. And it's tempting, because no one else who knows can actually understand what it's like.

But he's still hesitating, because the professionalism thing isn't easy to ignore.]

[ Drake appreciates the honesty. He nods, understanding as much as he can without knowing exactly what it is Lance would talk about. ]

Well if you change your mind, I'm around? Offer's always open. You talked me through one of the hardest things I've ever dealt with, I can at least listen.

[ He wants to listen. He'd like them to be friends, if that's possible. Lance seems like a good guy. ]

[He smiles at that, genuinely, and doesn't completely mentally rule out the possibility in the future. Maybe, at some point, he'll take Drake up on the offer.]

Thank you. I'll keep that in mind.

[And he means that. He really appreciates having the option.]

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