IC contact post

[capitolprivilege]

"Hi, you've reached Stephen Reagan -- almost. This is his phone. Leave a message and I'll get back to you when I can. Okay?"

Comments

[capitolprivilege]

I know, but that doesn't mean I should. You're always busy with something important, Cyrus. It's not right to ask you to drop it just to listen to whatever's going on with me.

[currupted]

You are more important to me than my work.

[He's looking at Stephen levelly-- this isn't his smug, smooth politician's face, or his I'm indulging you face, or even his I'm telling you exactly how you're going to behave face.]

Whatever's going on with you-- I want to hear about it. Anything.

I mean-- I'm your brother. If you can't come to me, then who can you come to?

[There is no one, no one he wants Stephen confiding in other than him.]

[capitolprivilege]

[Stephen wishes he could tell Cyrus the truth. Barring that, he wishes he would stop feeling like he could. He wishes this curling guilt would go away every time Cyrus acts open with him. Even though he knows Cyrus has lied to him -- even though he knows that Cyrus genuinely thinks he's stupid -- Stephen still feels guilty every time he lies.

He keeps coming back to this. He wishes it would stop.]

Maybe this wouldn't have blown up so bad if I had talked to someone about it.

[currupted]

Maybe. [Oh, Stephen, he doesn't blame you. This isn't the voice of someone who blames you.]

Now you know, don't you? Remember this. [He is so, so gentle.] Next time, Stephen, come to me first.

[capitolprivilege]

[He still can't look at Cyrus. He gives a small, small nod, one of chastised acquiescence.

He considers saying something here -- I'm glad I can come to you -- but it would come off as insincere, he thinks. Too much. Better to leave it how it is and let Cyrus make the next move.]

[currupted]

[Hear that? That's the quiet, satisfying sound of the world clicking back into its proper place.]

I'm glad we were able to talk about this.

You'll be more careful from now on, right?

[Tell me you're going to be more careful, is what he's really demanding. He wants to hear it.]

[capitolprivilege]

Yeah.

[The tone is a work of art: not too casual to sound sincere, not so heavy it looks like he's exaggerating. He's brightening up, picking himself up, accepting the scolding and forgiveness and moving on.]

Yeah, I'll be careful. I let people down, and I'm going to try to make sure that doesn't happen again.

[currupted]

Good.

[It's the same cycle. It's always the same cycle. Disapproval; rebellion; control; shame; normalcy. This is the way it's supposed to be.

So long as it fits the pattern so perfectly, Cyrus has no reason to suspect anything Stephen's saying of being insincere. Stephen has never broken the pattern before; why should he now?]

And-- I know I said this already, okay. But be careful around Tributes. And if you're ever confused, if you're not sure what's appropriate or isn't - come to me. Okay?

[capitolprivilege]

[At least he's got that permission. Cyrus left fraternization very, very vague, and Stephen knows Cyrus is too smart to have done that by accident. But Stephen decides not to comment on it or ask for clarification. Better to give the impression that he's not thought about it that hard.]

Thanks. If the Capitol wants a more hands-off approach from its Escorts, I can do that.

[currupted]

I know you can.

[A smile.]

--Well. Thanks for talking with me, Stephen. I've got to go; plenty of people with questions, as expected. But I'll catch you later.

[He'll wait a moment, to see if Stephen has anything else to say-- and then he'll cut the feed.]