[It’s an imperceptible change. Jaw setting, muscles there going taut, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it. The rest of Markus’ demeanor remains the same, looking only affected by the gratitude of his friend, ready to accept it and always willing to be there to aid him. Even if it’s only via a trek through the skypark, exchanging burdens with each other under lazy, whispering branches.
Even if Markus has a tendency to make that a lopsided exchange at best.
Because the talk of being an example — about not always having to be an example — doesn’t quite bring him unease, but it dredges up a part of him that’s hooked so deeply into duty, into obligation, into pressing forward for a purpose higher than his own, that makes it hard to think of himself as anything else. He is still all calmness to Fitz’ nervous energy, but there’s a hitch in his own words this time.]
I appreciate it, but— [A pause, readjusting his thought process, verbiage chosen carefully.] But I’m what others need to me to be, when they need me to be it. Especially when it comes to friends.
[Reaffirmation, the tug of a smile that he forces to not look apologetic in any way possible. But he affords Fitz the honesty he deserves.]
Just a part of who I am. It was that way back in Detroit, too. [Another hand stuffed into a pocket, a casual sort of air he doesn’t quite align to.] But if you’re signing yourself up to be someone I can complain to about the difficulties living in a human body, then I won’t say no.
no subject
Even if Markus has a tendency to make that a lopsided exchange at best.
Because the talk of being an example — about not always having to be an example — doesn’t quite bring him unease, but it dredges up a part of him that’s hooked so deeply into duty, into obligation, into pressing forward for a purpose higher than his own, that makes it hard to think of himself as anything else. He is still all calmness to Fitz’ nervous energy, but there’s a hitch in his own words this time.]
I appreciate it, but— [A pause, readjusting his thought process, verbiage chosen carefully.] But I’m what others need to me to be, when they need me to be it. Especially when it comes to friends.
[Reaffirmation, the tug of a smile that he forces to not look apologetic in any way possible. But he affords Fitz the honesty he deserves.]
Just a part of who I am. It was that way back in Detroit, too. [Another hand stuffed into a pocket, a casual sort of air he doesn’t quite align to.] But if you’re signing yourself up to be someone I can complain to about the difficulties living in a human body, then I won’t say no.