Posted by Lieutenant Séan Iven (Counselor) in Runnin’ From The Daylight (Tag Séan)

Posted by Civilian Jezem (Upstanding Citizen) in Runnin’ From The Daylight (Tag Séan)

Posted by Lieutenant Séan Iven (Counselor) in Runnin’ From The Daylight (Tag Séan)
Posted by… suppressed (13) by the Post Ghost! 👻
<snip>

Just let me know where. Jezem had puzzled over those words for a day or so. The counselor had his revenge by getting someone of his own to disrupt Jezem’s session. Though, the Orion did not doubt for a second that the counselor’s wicked streak ran deeper than mere Even Stevens. The counselor has proved himself to be clever and cunning and those parting words held deeper meaning. Jezem shot the following message to the counselor: Can we meet at your office again?

He doubted the counselor would let another person cut their session short twice in a row, but those words implied that he expected Jezem to change the location. He waited to see the response before calculating his next step.

Jezem

A simple, one word reply came back: Sure.

Counselor Iven

As before, Jezem arrived right on time. Dressed in his more expensive garments, his favorite gold gorget and shimmery gold and silver bracelets. His hair pinned back with gold pins. “Counselor,” Jezem greeted, tone cold. He did not take a seat right away.

Jezem

“Jezem. Welcome.” Séan smiled back at the Orion.

Counselor Iven

The orion held his ground, arms crossed in front of his chest, “Are you satisfied, counselor? Are the games over or do you hate your job that much?”

Jezem

Séan leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers together on top of his chest. “I quite enjoy my job. It’s very stimulating to navigate through a person’s problems and formulate a plan to help them overcome whatever it is they fear or are ashamed of. I also find it satisfying when a patient has a breakthrough and their life improves. That being said, I think it’s far more appropriate for me to ask if you’re done with the games. The back and forth can be entertaining but I’m not at all interested in a power struggle. Either we proceed as equals and in good faith or you’re wasting both of our time. Now please, have a seat.”

Counselor Iven

Jezem bared his teeth, his body tense, hands curled into fists, “Am I done with games? I did not come into our last session to play games. I came because I recognize that I needed help- that I needed your help.” He came on time. He came unguarded, without the armor of his finery and gold. Presented himself as calm and relaxed. Jezem wanted this to work. He wanted to find the path through the dark twists and turns of his mind and the counselor spat at his efforts. Jezem understood the drive for revenge. In any other context he would have commented the counselor for getting back at him.

The Orion’s hands trembled, “I came to you with an open mind and you betrayed that trust.” And now here he was. Guarded. Armored in silk and gold. Jezem wanted this to work but now he questioned if the answers he needed were really his to find.

Jezem

“You recognize that you need help, which is a fantastic step. You chose me to be that help, likely because it was expedient and my deal with Thyr affords you a decent amount of discretion. I’m not going to rehash everything from the beginning but we didn’t have the best of starts. Our first session started escalating in a way that would not have been productive for either of us. My superior arriving was happenstance but provided a good excuse to deescalate things.” Séan took a moment to let that linger before continuing. “I do apologize for the manner I utilized it though. Part of it was me getting you back for showing up unannounced, but another more important part is that I will not be intimidated. I can let a lot slide but that will not be one of them. So if you can agree that not utilizing intimidation in our sessions is a boundary you’re willing to respect, and do a clean slate from here on, so will I.”

Counselor Iven

While he spoke, Séan hadJezem’s full and complete attention. The Orion’s eyes cold and sharp as he processed the words and contemplated their worth. After a long, long pause Jezem’s hands relaxed and he took his seat. “A clean slate then,” Jezem wasn’t sure if he felt forgiveness. Not yet. But this was something he wanted and with the boundaries put in place the two of them could reestablish their positions.

Jezem couldn’t shake the clamp on his feelings. The unease racing through him. Jezem did not hide behind his walls, but defended them. As the humans said, offense was the best defense. How does he manage without that? He watched the counselor carefully and decided to let him take the first step.

Jezem

“Okay.” Séan said as he shifted forward into a more neutral sitting position. “What is your biggest fear?”

Counselor Iven

Jezem sat with a straight back and a stiff posture. A myriad of thoughts and answers popped into his head. Many. Too many. “Argam dying” But that wasn’t quite right, it wasn’t the greatest fear. Jezem did fear losing Argam, in any way. He couldn’t conceive of a life without his husband. Jezem didn’t fear death.

Jezem

“The fear of losing a loved one is natural.” Séan said with a nod. “Once in your life it’s hard to imagine it without them. Does this fear of losing Argam influence your actions and decisions?”

Counselor Iven

“I would do anything to keep him safe,” Jezem said without hesitation. Automatic. Impassioned. “I want to make him so happy that he can’t think of living without me.” Where Argam went so did Jezem. What Argam did, Jezem helped. “I make his meals, I help with his businesses, I keep his employees happy, I give him everything that is within my power to give.”

Jezem

Séan nodded again. “I can’t speak on having feelings nearly as intense as that, but it certainly sounds like you care deeply for him. Is he appreciative of your efforts?”

Counselor Iven

“Yes,” Jezem said. Argam loved him. He knew Jezem at his most selfish, most cruel and still found him worthy of love. “Argam. . .” Jezem trailed off, undecided if he could discuss the softness of husband’s love. “Argam is good for me and I try to be good for him. We get into little fights but we make-up. His only complaint is that Orion food is often too spicy for him. ” He played with one of his ring fingers, admiring the soft shine of the gold in the artificial light.

Jezem

“I wouldn’t expect your marriage to not have the occasional conflict but it’s great that you both can resolve your differences.” Séan paused for a moment in thought then decided to change the topic. “What’s another fear that you have? It doesn’t have to be your biggest but instead one that seems to linger in the back of your mind.”

Counselor Iven

The Orion looked away, his gaze locked on some unseen object far off. Gold laden fingers flexed against exposed thighs, nails lightly scratching emerald green skin. A life of covering secrets behind lies and obfuscation, hiding weakness behind violence and aggression screamed at him to take the offensive. What is your biggest fear, counselor? What thoughts keep you up at night? Fear that stalked the forests of memory, lingering where time has not worn the hurt. That kind of fear festers in the soul, rotting a body until it turns to poison.

Jezem’s nails dug into his thighs. Left deep green welts a hairs width away from breaking skin. He wasn’t sure he could give a name to that fear. A name would make it far too real. “Just how many fears am I to confess?”

Jezem