vdistinctive | The attic of 75 Godiva Street, Thursday afternoon

Eliot was very good at putting on a good face, but he wasn't handling the events of last week very well. He hadn't been sleeping well, even for him, and it wasn't just about nightmares. He was on edge, not so much about his environment -- he'd always been on edge about that, at least since he turned 18 and joined the army -- but about himself. His own reaction to it.

Fighting evil robots in the shop had actually helped that, a little. He'd handled that just as well as he'd ever have done. Had even enjoyed it a little. But he couldn't shake the fact that he had failed last Saturday. Failed his double and failed his partners. Because of an issue he'd thought he had a handle on for years.

Finding time alone hadn't been easy. Parker and Hardison were understandably clingy, right now, and clever enough to notice, despite Eliot's good face, that he really wasn't handling things that well. That he wasn't sleeping. But he couldn't talk to them about this, couldn't look them in the eye and tell them that he wasn't a good enough hitter to keep them safe. And he couldn't think of anyone else he could talk to, either, anyone he could trust, who knew him, who wouldn't change how they treated him once they knew.

So he found his way up to his attic during a quiet moment. Locked the door just to make sure Hardison and Parker knew better than to walk in unannounced.

And made a phone call.

[ooc: for one, and likely slowplay. Mmmm, aftermath.]

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Eliot leaned his head back against the wall and let out a slow breath through his nose.

God, he was tired.

"Thanks, Sophie."

He wasn't better. This wasn't a phone call about fixing anything. But he'd been stuck in the worst part of his own head, and Sophie was the woman who could convince anyone of anything.

"So. What've you and Nate been up to? Still pretendin' you two went legit?"

"We are legit!... Mostly." Her theater and director's job was still very real, thank you very much. "My students are progressing wonderfully. Nate is trying several different things in order to keep himself occupied." She paused and added, "Including chess. I think he'll want a rematch, the next time you two are in the same city."

You couldn't 'fix' pain, or trauma, like you could a broken vase. Bruised hearts needed time and softness to heal. But you could bandage up the wounds a bit, put on antiseptic so feelings didn't go toxic, and recommend a course of treatment. Hopefully Eliot would listen to what she prescribed.

"Keeping busy keeps him out of trouble."

Eliot snorted. "Always were an optimist when it comes to him, huh." Nate keeping out of trouble. Good one. "Tell him I'm up for a game whenever he is. They used to publish chess games in the newspaper, I figure we can do long distance over email or whatever."

Sophie laughed, already amused at the idea, and the no-doubt stinging mockeries that would be slung from phones and email very soon. "I shall." She bit her lip and said, "I don't want to invite ourselves, if you three need time to yourselves, but. Do you think you'd be up for a visit from us, sometime before the new year?"

"Absolutely," Eliot said, with feeling. That would make their plan to steal them a wedding that much easier to pull off, after all. "Hell, Soph, you two are family. You're welcome any time. And you know Parker'll go nuts at getting to see you guys for Christmas."

Parker's Christmas lasted well past the Epiphany, so that gave them all plenty of time.

"Oh, lord. Is it elf hats or angel halos this year?" Sophie was smiling into the phone, her own mood lightening as it seemed Eliot's did. "I'll be sure to bring ribbons and money for her. As well the newest tech we can find for Hardison." She paused at the exit of the Institute. "And what do you want for Christmas, Eliot?"

"Antlers. I'm predictin' three pairs at a time by this time next week." And probably a giant Christmas light necklace. The more obnoxious, the better.

Hell, he might even get one for her himself.

"Was thinkin' of a wakizashi, but I already asked Parker for that one. Also been thinkin' about settin' one of these rooms here up as a dojo or somethin', though. How 'bout somethin' peaceful to decorate with?"

"Excellent." Sophie beamed as she walked out the door. A random passerby walked into a wall, seeing that smile. "I know just the thing. Expect us when you see us, darling." Then more quietly, "And call again, if you need to. All right?"

"Yeah," Eliot agreed. "Might finally manage more'n an hour of sleep tonight. Thanks again, Soph."

He'd promise to call next time with something happy, but, well. They'd both know better.

The attic of 75 Godiva Street, Thursday afternoon

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