[ Cisco uses that pause; he closes his eyes, covers his face with his hands, and just focuses on deep breaths. He and Genji had practiced this together, enough times that Cisco had joked about it being excessive. But Genji had been right. All that practice meant it was easier, to repeat that process now, when he really needs it.
After a solid two minutes, Cisco texts back: ]
okay you're right i'm working on deep breaths i just feel so helpless
[ Cisco doesn't think of himself as a control freak, typically, but this kind of powerlessness is terrifying to him. ]
i didn't vibe though the whole time he was in surgery i didn't have a panic attack or vibe
[ He does think that part of that might be because of that strange feeling of detachment and unreality, but... maybe that's at least a little better, than outright terror would have been. Sure, it was unsettling, that feeling of calm. It probably wouldn't be healthy long term. But it got him through. ]
Waiting is the hardest part. >And you are not wrong for being worried. >Of course someone you love in pain will be hard. >But you and him will both be fine.
[ Now that it doesn't seem like Genji will have to rush to the hospital, he sits back down on his bed. ]
That is good to hear! >You have been making very good progress. >You are strong, Cisco. Far stronger than you give yourself credit for.
[ Those words may mean something to Cisco, in a few days, when things are not so fraught. For now, Cisco is having a hard time imagining himself in any way strong. So he simply says: ]
i have a good teacher.
[ There are no more text from him for a little while; but even though Eddie's out of surgery, it's still going to be a while before Cisco can see him. So, an hour or so later, he texts: ]
the guys from the shootout are both dead. i know that i shouldn't be, but i'm kind of glad.
no subject
[ Cisco uses that pause; he closes his eyes, covers his face with his hands, and just focuses on deep breaths. He and Genji had practiced this together, enough times that Cisco had joked about it being excessive. But Genji had been right. All that practice meant it was easier, to repeat that process now, when he really needs it.
After a solid two minutes, Cisco texts back: ]
okay
you're right
i'm working on deep breaths
i just feel so helpless
[ Cisco doesn't think of himself as a control freak, typically, but this kind of powerlessness is terrifying to him. ]
i didn't vibe though
the whole time he was in surgery
i didn't have a panic attack or vibe
[ He does think that part of that might be because of that strange feeling of detachment and unreality, but... maybe that's at least a little better, than outright terror would have been. Sure, it was unsettling, that feeling of calm. It probably wouldn't be healthy long term. But it got him through. ]
no subject
Waiting is the hardest part.
>And you are not wrong for being worried.
>Of course someone you love in pain will be hard.
>But you and him will both be fine.
[ Now that it doesn't seem like Genji will have to rush to the hospital, he sits back down on his bed. ]
That is good to hear!
>You have been making very good progress.
>You are strong, Cisco. Far stronger than you give yourself credit for.
no subject
i have a good teacher.
[ There are no more text from him for a little while; but even though Eddie's out of surgery, it's still going to be a while before Cisco can see him. So, an hour or so later, he texts: ]
the guys from the shootout are both dead.
i know that i shouldn't be, but i'm kind of glad.