Twice, even. The first time I hit him with a pillow. The second...it was more like...asking if i wanted to be asked right then.
[He holds up his hand, the rhodium ring on his right middle finger pretty as can be.] He still gave me a ring though, so I think he doesn't how that is supposed to work as much as I dont.
[Ethan has to give Fitz a look, hoping that he wasnt being serious.] Fitz...thats so many! How- never mind, actually. I'm sure I can figure out the gist of it.
[He isnt so sure he agrees, but it is nice.]
A-anyways. I'm sure he told you he was leaving soon.
[He ticks it off on his fingers.] Three times with Sam - or maybe three and a half, twice with the Doctor, half a time with Compassion, and five times with random aliens. Possibly more, as some planets have impressive beverages on offer. [Ethan could've probably figured out the gist of it.]
[Ethan stops in his tracks, squinting at Fitz a moment. How do you get married but only half?]
I might circle back on that, I have questions, but...
I've been trying to put on this front, like I'm not upset that he's leaving. But its harder this time, now that I'm not mad at him, and I know when he's going rather than going off on my own on a whim.
But I dont want to tell him that, because I'm sure it would be better for him if he goes.
You haven't gotten the chance to go traveling properly. You probably should learn more about it if you're going larking about the universe some day.
[He takes a moment to think about it. For multiple reasons, it's not a situation he tends to end up in himself.] I get not wanting to make him feel bad, but I'm sure he doesn't think that you're leaping about in delight that he's going.
At least, I hope he doesn't think that if he's going around handing out rings.
Well, no...but It isn't like I could tell him a lot of how I felt about his graduation. He wasn't exactly happy about it, even if I was. I know- [He frowns, staring off and away as he tries to say what he wants to.] I know he doesn't believe he actually died. It doesn't seem likely, not when I'm here as I am, but...
[He'd confirmed a long time ago that they weren't from the same dimension, but the question that had been burning in his mind since then had finally gotten answered.]
His Ethan died in the crash...and I don't know how to tell him.
[Ethan understands how strange Fitz's life is, but some part of that makes him a little sad. He cant quite put his finger on why.]
I don't think there is much difference, between him and the Alexei I left back home, but if I tell him, I think he's going to have to accept that he did die to get here, because that is the road block.
He wouldn't be dead if I had been alive to prevent it, Either he survived or I died trying to save him.
I don't know if this is his point, but I get not wanting that. I think if it was between me dying and someone I really love... I'd prefer they live.
[It's not as if far too many people haven't died for him already. But as much as he did love many of them, there's a difference in certain relationships.]
Then I wouldn't have to live without them. [It's unashamedly selfish, though he knows the Doctor would be able to go on and he's the only person he'd do that for without hesitation.]
I don't mean that in a bad way. Most of my friends are that sort of person. That's why I'm there to provide variety. And it means you're right that Alexei already knew going in. Even if he didn't know what he'd end up feeling.
I mean, I'd probably die to save you if it really came down to it. But I'd work really hard to avoid it coming down to it. [He's risked his life to help others far more often than he's tried to count. But he really doesn't want to. It doesn't mean he doesn't love Ethan, just as Ethan being the sort of person who would sign up to risk his life doesn't mean he wouldn't die for Fitz because he loves him.]
I'd hope you would work hard to avoid it... I'd feel like I'd failed you if you had to anyways. That's my job, Fitz. Both in the self-sacrificing and hard working department. [He tries to say so with a smile, but he might have to look away a moment, jaw tight. Fitz might just make him cry.
He doesn't think anyone has ever said so and it's nice, to know he's earned himself a friend like Fitz.]
I'd love to watch you be a hero though, for real, if it had a happy ending. It'd look good on you.
One time I led a whole lot of people through a forest in an alternate dimension full of monsters/ There were tears there, I can tell you. Mine, mostly.
When our fathers stood against enemy, they had no such resources as we have now; indeed, they abandoned even what they had, and then it was by wisdom rather than by good fortune, by daring rather than by material power, that they drove back the foreign invasion and made our city what it is today. We must live up to the standard they set: we must resist our enemies in any and every way, and try to leave it to those who come after us; an Athens that is as great as ever.
[He rubs his chin.]
Luckily, I think they took 'Athens' as a metaphor.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-15 06:43 pm (UTC)An absolute delight, of course. It's always having good company that does it.
[With 'himself' being the good company, of course.
He gives Ethan a sideways look.] Less changes than some people's weeks.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-15 06:56 pm (UTC)Alexei asked me to marry him.
Twice, even. The first time I hit him with a pillow. The second...it was more like...asking if i wanted to be asked right then.
[He holds up his hand, the rhodium ring on his right middle finger pretty as can be.] He still gave me a ring though, so I think he doesn't how that is supposed to work as much as I dont.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-15 07:16 pm (UTC)[He grins.] But since it looks like you two have managed something, congratulations.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-15 07:25 pm (UTC)[He still isnt sure thats what he wants anyways, but, pulling his hand back in, he rubs the ring with his other hand.]
I'm not sure congratulations are in order for that, but it does allow me to cross dimensions.
Jacob gave him the deal he would have gotten, so...we're not tied down any more.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-15 07:31 pm (UTC)You should always be congratulated for getting new jewelry [he says with mock solemnity]. And for not being tied down.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-15 07:37 pm (UTC)[He isnt so sure he agrees, but it is nice.]
A-anyways. I'm sure he told you he was leaving soon.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-15 07:45 pm (UTC)He mentioned it, yeah.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-15 08:22 pm (UTC)I might circle back on that, I have questions, but...
I've been trying to put on this front, like I'm not upset that he's leaving. But its harder this time, now that I'm not mad at him, and I know when he's going rather than going off on my own on a whim.
But I dont want to tell him that, because I'm sure it would be better for him if he goes.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-21 04:03 am (UTC)[He takes a moment to think about it. For multiple reasons, it's not a situation he tends to end up in himself.] I get not wanting to make him feel bad, but I'm sure he doesn't think that you're leaping about in delight that he's going.
At least, I hope he doesn't think that if he's going around handing out rings.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-23 03:08 am (UTC)[He'd confirmed a long time ago that they weren't from the same dimension, but the question that had been burning in his mind since then had finally gotten answered.]
His Ethan died in the crash...and I don't know how to tell him.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-26 03:20 am (UTC)But that sort of thing has never matter to me.
[The Doctor would be 'his' Doctor even in a different body. Even with all his memories erased, which is more extreme.]
I'm not the one and only Fitz, and that doesn't change who I am.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-26 03:27 am (UTC)I don't think there is much difference, between him and the Alexei I left back home, but if I tell him, I think he's going to have to accept that he did die to get here, because that is the road block.
He wouldn't be dead if I had been alive to prevent it, Either he survived or I died trying to save him.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-26 03:30 am (UTC)I don't know that I'd ever tell someone that I died because I was trying to save them. [He grins at Ethan.] You might take that as a warning sign.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-26 03:36 am (UTC)It isn't like he doesn't know i would have. Probably still would... jump drive or no...
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-26 03:41 am (UTC)[It's not as if far too many people haven't died for him already. But as much as he did love many of them, there's a difference in certain relationships.]
Then I wouldn't have to live without them. [It's unashamedly selfish, though he knows the Doctor would be able to go on and he's the only person he'd do that for without hesitation.]
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-26 03:48 am (UTC)If he didn't want me to, then he shouldn't have accepted it.
[Though with that said?] I'd do the same for you, you know?
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-26 04:07 am (UTC)I don't mean that in a bad way. Most of my friends are that sort of person. That's why I'm there to provide variety. And it means you're right that Alexei already knew going in. Even if he didn't know what he'd end up feeling.
I mean, I'd probably die to save you if it really came down to it. But I'd work really hard to avoid it coming down to it. [He's risked his life to help others far more often than he's tried to count. But he really doesn't want to. It doesn't mean he doesn't love Ethan, just as Ethan being the sort of person who would sign up to risk his life doesn't mean he wouldn't die for Fitz because he loves him.]
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-26 08:19 pm (UTC)He doesn't think anyone has ever said so and it's nice, to know he's earned himself a friend like Fitz.]
I'd love to watch you be a hero though, for real, if it had a happy ending. It'd look good on you.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-09-26 08:35 pm (UTC)That’s why you have to remember to be as careful as you sort can be. You know I hate hard work. I do my part by avoiding unnecessary trouble.
[Ethan has heard his stories, but that generally is Fitz avoiding unnecessary trouble. His life can just be a bit too exciting.
But he’d still go out of his way to save Ethan’s life. And complain the whole way to safety if they both survived. Because Ethan is his friend.]
It is very impressive to see me all cool and heroic. People get overcome and so on.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-10-09 03:36 am (UTC)Look what you've done!
I'm in tears just thinking about it...
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-10-09 03:39 am (UTC)It happens.
One time I led a whole lot of people through a forest in an alternate dimension full of monsters/ There were tears there, I can tell you. Mine, mostly.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-10-09 03:44 am (UTC)That sounds very much like you. You played your role so well you even moved yourself to tears.
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-10-09 03:46 am (UTC)Besides, if you don't play the role well, what's even the point of dressing up?
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-10-09 03:50 am (UTC)[Maybe he'll feel inspired.]
Re: Back dated to a few days after Alexei graduates
Date: 2025-10-09 03:57 am (UTC)When our fathers stood against enemy, they had no such resources as we have now; indeed, they abandoned even what they had, and then it was by wisdom rather than by good fortune, by daring rather than by material power, that they drove back the foreign invasion and made our city what it is today. We must live up to the standard they set: we must resist our enemies in any and every way, and try to leave it to those who come after us; an Athens that is as great as ever.
[He rubs his chin.]
Luckily, I think they took 'Athens' as a metaphor.
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