betterthanaplan: (binge-drinking weather)
Duke Crocker ([personal profile] betterthanaplan) wrote2024-12-19 10:53 am

The galley of the Cape Rouge, Thursday evening

Duke had had some time since his last therapist appointment to start slowly processing what his therapist had said. Specifically what the man had said about what he believed was the foundation of Duke's issues. A diagnosis if you will.

Which Duke had finally made time to look up and read about after getting home from the diner. And mull over over a cup of tea.

Sure, it wasn't the first time someone had suggested that he had PTSD. He'd kind of just assumed he had that, by now. But C-PTSD. The complex version. The one most associated with survivors of hostage situations or child abuse.

He sipped his tea and stared into space. And wished it didn't make as much sense to him as it did. Wished he didn't check off quite as many of the usual symptoms as he did.

"Fuck."

[for the partners if they wanna]
okteiviakom: ([spec linc] head kisses)

[personal profile] okteiviakom 2024-12-20 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Octavia was just trying to remind herself of how his arms felt around her. The rubbing at her back, her face near the curve of his neck, the fabric of his shirt under her hands. How he smelled. The warmth of him.

Just generally breathing him in, through every sense.
okteiviakom: ([neu] big breath)

[personal profile] okteiviakom 2024-12-20 08:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm fine," Octavia muttered. "There's nothing in particular going on."

The odds of her having any other reply ready to go while her feelings over... everything now were still settling had been slim, to be fair.
okteiviakom: ([spec linc] good luck getting this close)

[personal profile] okteiviakom 2024-12-20 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Something in Octavia's shoulders relaxed a fraction, at not being pressed to talk more about how she was feeling, right now. "Took a walk along some of the beaches," she replied. "Watched porgs."
okteiviakom: ([neu] shower fresh)

[personal profile] okteiviakom 2024-12-20 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"They're around," Octavia murmured. "Even Polly."
okteiviakom: ([pos] downwardly amused maybe)

[personal profile] okteiviakom 2024-12-20 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
Octavia finally managed a wry tone. "I think they'll accept food," she said. "And maybe a nice rock."

Polly did so love his rocks.
okteiviakom: ([pos] but I do)

[personal profile] okteiviakom 2024-12-20 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Octavia thought she could feel his laugh through his chest.

She liked it.

She didn't really realize she was smiling to herself as she said, "A few rocks here and there never hurt anyone, as a treat."
okteiviakom: ([pos] downwardly amused maybe)

[personal profile] okteiviakom 2024-12-20 10:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Octavia huffed. "Just nothing that will shed microplastics everywhere."
okteiviakom: ([pos] smiling on the inside)

[personal profile] okteiviakom 2024-12-20 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Just making sure," Octavia told him, and gave him a little extra squeeze with her arms.

Maybe to counteract the shudder, or something.
okteiviakom: ([spec linc] head kisses)

[personal profile] okteiviakom 2024-12-20 11:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"Sure, why not," Octavia replied, quietly. Though without seeming in much of a rush to move.

Seeing as that meant pulling away from his chest, and she needed to give that a faint nuzzle, herself.