Secondhand Issues [Sean]

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean nodded. “It’s worth trying, but be gentle. I won’t be offended if he turns it down.” His ego had no role in this; what mattered was that Kodiak get help one way or another, be it with Sean himself, or with another mental health professional, or even with someone in an emergency care situation.

“Depending on how he reacts to telling him that my door is open,” the psychiatrist replied. “If he objects more to the idea of seeing me specifically rather than seeing someone at all, then you should. If he makes plain that he doesn’t want to see anyone, then I would drop the subject. There’s no need to press him too much.” Pressing too much could backfire and result in Kodiak withdrawing from Gryphon, possibly retreating further into himself or otherwise turning towards self-destructive behaviors.

Serving as someone’s confidant and support system in a situation like this always proved a tight rope to walk.

With that said, he then asked, “Is there anything else you want to talk about? Either about Kodiak or about you? Do you have a support system of your own, outside of this situation?”

Support givers often neglected their own physical and emotional needs, and so it was all the more imperative that Gryphon had someone else to turn to in times of need.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

It was good that Sean seemed very level-headed and down to earth. He didn't seem the excessively proud type in the first place, but... maturity just oozed out of this guy. Which made sense. Gryph was in a weird state of mind.

But back onto the subject of Kodi. Gryphon took in every thing Sean was saying with small nods, listening well, so as to make sure he was getting it into his head. It seemed common sense, but Gryph knew he could get a bit dumb ad desperate about this, just because of his concern. He just... wanted Kodi to start feeling better and better. By this point in time, his problems seemed to have leveled off in severity, but they were by no means fixed.

And the questions were directed at himself over his boyfriend and Gryphon found himself a little stuck. He looked at the floor meekly, "I have... people." That wasn't convincing, "I've got Fi, my guardian, and..." And Rue came to mind, though they hadn't spoken in a while, "...I have people to turn to." Didn't mean he would actually turn to them when he needed them most, though. Gryph had a plethora of his own problems but he felt it was... they could spend the whole rest of the day up to midnight trying to sort Gryphon out.

"I'm okay." He didn't feel it was necessary to say much else.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

Sean wouldn’t pass judgment on the quality of Gryphon’s support network. If he had people to turn to so that he wasn’t completely isolated while providing emotional support to Kodiak, then that was enough. It would be enough unless and until Gryphon felt otherwise.

But since stubbornness tended to be a common and defining trait among most people that Sean encountered, he added, “My door is always open for you too, you know.”

Should Gryphon change his mind.

Encouragement was all that he could do for former students. They were no longer within his jurisdiction, and so he could not force sessions. Although forced sessions would be counterproductive in this situation anyway.

Beyond that, there was little else to say. Gryphon had a game plan, and Sean had provided some manner of resources to help Kodiak. The ball was in their court, would be almost entirely in Kodiak’s court, from here on out. Either the other young man chose to accept his offer, or, he would turn it down as Gryphon expected, and they would have to find alternate resources for him.

One step at a time.

“Please let me know what he says,” the psychiatrist asked. They could go from there.