Teddy Altman ; APPOINTMENTS

[halfnhalf]

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[action, May 29]

[frost_jewel]

[Mia cannot remember the last time she felt so...comforted. It has been a while, an impossibly long while. The snowy fog in her head continues to clear, a bit faster with each minute that passes. Opening and closing her hands as the last of the pins-and-needles feeling disappears, Mia finally lifts her head again. She does not wear a smile, but she looks relieved enough that it might almost be one.]

We're not supposed to cry in front of people, because they depend on us to believe everything will be all right. To not worry and not be afraid. When that bomb went off- [In her mind, one hand reaches to grasp someone's shirt, tight, while she whispers how sorry she is and holds her breath; in the present, that breath hitches, and the echo of nothingness makes her shiver.] I didn't know what to do afterward. I have never been so afraid, even when we were going to face Alex.

[Her voice catches on a dry and worn throat, but after a solid cough she shakes her head.] Maybe I have forgotten...how to be a friend, like this.

[action, May 29]

[halfnhalf]

[At first, Teddy looks like he's caught on something she said. Bomb? What was this about a bomb? Billy never told him...

... He'll ask her later. He puts a smile on instead, small yet warm, and gently places her palm against the top of her head.]

I think you've just been stuck in healer mode all this time. We're not in on the battlefield anymore... It's okay to be in friend mode now.

[action, May 29]

[frost_jewel]

Hm. [Maybe. Is it possible to remain "stuck in healer mode" for...over a year, in pieces? Maybe.]

There are still so many people hurting, Teddy. I can't let them go any more than I can stop caring about you. [Mia pushes away enough to really look at him, finally considering what she must look like and trying to wipe her face enough with one hand.] Am I allowed to say I'm proud of you now?

[action, May 29]

[halfnhalf]

[He's not sure if she should be proud. But he'll take it anyway, and... it does mean a lot, hearing her say that. So his smile grows a little, and he nods once.]

Yeah... sorry. Wasn't trying to deny you permission or anything. [He tilts his head a little, one eyebrow raised.] I'm proud of you too, you know.

[action, May 29]

[frost_jewel]

Whatever for?

[Look at me, she seems to say, look at her and the state she's in and how awful she is being to herself.]

[action, May 29]

[halfnhalf]

I know just as well as anyone how hard it is to... let go like that in front of someone. Not just getting things off your chest, but letting go of your... I don't know, defenses?

[He gives her hair a ruffle, though he knows that her hair isn't exactly the ruffling kind.] Took me a while to get that doing that can actually make you feel a little better.

[action, May 29]

[frost_jewel]

[When she arrived at the apartment her hair was braided down; she imagines it looks much more disheveled now, especially after a friendly ruffling.]

I already know it makes you feel better and it's still quite hard to actually do it. [Pushing a piece of said disheveled hair out of her face, Mia looks at her hands and their gentle tremor, then the door.] I should go, before I wake Billy or- or take up too much of your time, but I think you'll argue with me about that one.