( Mika doesn't seem happy - he doesn't seem happy at all. But... it's true that being irate with Solomon won't solve anything - he can either speak to Ginger, or kill Solomon here.
... )
... Is that what you did? Talk to whoever it is you're thinking about?
( This is just a blind guess. But he'll make it. )
And what does telling yourself to be okay with it do for you?
( He has no horse in the Solomon coping mechanism race, so his words aren't didactic, exactly. He just calls it like he sees it. )
... Sometimes you can't make it stop hurting, no matter what you do.
( So. chew on that, he guesses. He wouldn't be able to pretend to be rational in Solomon's shoes, between this and what Solomon mentioned at the ball. )
[Sometimes there really is nothing to take the hurt away completely. Sometimes it is an aching wound that time can't heal.]
I don't do it to escape the hurt. I do it to stop feeding the wolf that is my fear. Because it is what I would want them to do, without question, if our places were reversed.
( Mika doesn't seem like he agrees with the selfless assessment, either. He doesn't think he'd call it selflessness... maybe married to his image? Wanting to fulfill a certain role? The way Solomon does it is difficult for Mika to parse.
The remark gives him pause. )
... Don't give yourself too much credit. ( Rude, Mika. ) ... I feel twice as exhausted now.
It's only natural. Emotions are exhausting things.
[With a rustling of fabric and a creaking of the couch underneath, Solomon lifts himself back to his feet, gently tugging the sleeves of his shirt further against his wrists. No need to show all of that on accident, even if he thinks Mika would no longer find it a surprise.]
I'll leave you to rest.
Just don't stay in this tomb of yours forever, my king. Okay?
( He watches himself get up - recompose, and return to how he was, as if that blip were a mirage, something to discount.
But he hears the echo of the pulse, even if things may begin to return to normal. The slight construction, not yet fully eased up. )
... I'll see if it's not too comfortable in here. Vampires do love coffins.
( Wrly, but not total rejection. He'll remain where he is - and, when Solomon leaves, curl up under the covers again, his ruminations different than before. )
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... )
... Is that what you did? Talk to whoever it is you're thinking about?
( This is just a blind guess. But he'll make it. )
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...
He lets out an exhale, his smile worn and tired.]
I did while I could, yes.
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... Are they gone?
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I don't know.
But I have to be okay with not knowing for now. There is only so much I can do.
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( He has no horse in the Solomon coping mechanism race, so his words aren't didactic, exactly. He just calls it like he sees it. )
... Sometimes you can't make it stop hurting, no matter what you do.
( So. chew on that, he guesses. He wouldn't be able to pretend to be rational in Solomon's shoes, between this and what Solomon mentioned at the ball. )
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You're not wrong.
[Sometimes there really is nothing to take the hurt away completely. Sometimes it is an aching wound that time can't heal.]
I don't do it to escape the hurt. I do it to stop feeding the wolf that is my fear. Because it is what I would want them to do, without question, if our places were reversed.
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[Because he isn't. He knows he isn't.
But it's not a topic for now, or for Mika, who already has so little faith in him.]
...You're a little calmer now than you were before. I'm glad.
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The remark gives him pause. )
... Don't give yourself too much credit. ( Rude, Mika. ) ... I feel twice as exhausted now.
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[With a rustling of fabric and a creaking of the couch underneath, Solomon lifts himself back to his feet, gently tugging the sleeves of his shirt further against his wrists. No need to show all of that on accident, even if he thinks Mika would no longer find it a surprise.]
I'll leave you to rest.
Just don't stay in this tomb of yours forever, my king. Okay?
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But he hears the echo of the pulse, even if things may begin to return to normal. The slight construction, not yet fully eased up. )
... I'll see if it's not too comfortable in here. Vampires do love coffins.
( Wrly, but not total rejection. He'll remain where he is - and, when Solomon leaves, curl up under the covers again, his ruminations different than before. )