[ For a long, long moment, Qubit doesn't reply. Instead, he picks up the thing Peter was messing with, examining it while he thinks.
He's made new friends in the time since he lost his old ones. Friends, co-workers, housemates, acquaintances. But he's always kept them at a distance. For their own good, he tells himself. Oh, there are the usual reasons - his enemies could appear at any time, the life he leads is too dangerous, his personal issues are no one else's business.
Even now, there are plenty of reasons he shouldn't confide in Peter - not just about this, but in general. He's just a kid, it's preposterous for him to shoulder your emotional baggage. Anyway, this isn't the worst it's ever been for you, not by a long shot. You've been in worse situations and you've felt worse about them, and you'll be damned if some stupid childhood insecurity is what does you in now.
(Of course, all of these are nothing but excuses. And deep down, Qubit knows this.) ]
... Look. [ He sets down the object. His tone of voice is less tense, but... measured, like he's choosing his words with great care. ] I appreciate your concern. I do. But this isn't something I need help with. I know what's wrong, I just have to determine how wrong. That's all there is to it.
[ THIS PROBLEM HAS NO EMOTIONAL DIMENSION WHATSOEVER AND ANYONE WHO THINKS IT DOES IS A FOOL. QUBIT IS FINE, AND FURTHERMORE, A VERY EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY PERSON WHO TAKES ADEQUATE CARE OF HIMSELF. ]
no subject
He's made new friends in the time since he lost his old ones. Friends, co-workers, housemates, acquaintances. But he's always kept them at a distance. For their own good, he tells himself. Oh, there are the usual reasons - his enemies could appear at any time, the life he leads is too dangerous, his personal issues are no one else's business.
Even now, there are plenty of reasons he shouldn't confide in Peter - not just about this, but in general. He's just a kid, it's preposterous for him to shoulder your emotional baggage. Anyway, this isn't the worst it's ever been for you, not by a long shot. You've been in worse situations and you've felt worse about them, and you'll be damned if some stupid childhood insecurity is what does you in now.
(Of course, all of these are nothing but excuses. And deep down, Qubit knows this.) ]
... Look. [ He sets down the object. His tone of voice is less tense, but... measured, like he's choosing his words with great care. ] I appreciate your concern. I do. But this isn't something I need help with. I know what's wrong, I just have to determine how wrong. That's all there is to it.
[ THIS PROBLEM HAS NO EMOTIONAL DIMENSION WHATSOEVER AND ANYONE WHO THINKS IT DOES IS A FOOL. QUBIT IS FINE, AND FURTHERMORE, A VERY EMOTIONALLY HEALTHY PERSON WHO TAKES ADEQUATE CARE OF HIMSELF. ]