.happier days.

[lynx]

He didn't want to be here, at his little job, that this place he called 'work'. No, it wasn't the right day for him to be here. He shouldn't be here. He honestly just wanted to stay in bed curled with Mink as he cried.

Today was the day that little precious girl died, and he had to leave that place forever.

Temples were massaged once again, he had been holding back tears for what seemed like hours. It didn't matter--it really didn't matter if he was having a horrible day, he just had to suck it up and get over his sadness. "A few more, Lynx, just a few more."

Others were depending on him to be the stable one, on Dr. Katze to be stable and able to help.

He drank down his water, shaking his head. Sam whimpered at Lynx and attempted to get his attention in the attempt to cheer him up. "S-sam, just... just wait, your mommy will be here soon." He gently shooed the dog away as the door opened.

Time for the smile, Lynx. Just a few more sessions, just smile. Just smile Lynx.

[.xander;;]

it had been two weeks since the actual incident. it was kind of an incident, seeing as it had started as a regular old day. however, it it had quickly evolved into something more, something that invoked a profound change in xander.

two weeks ago he had begun, and for two weeks he didn't tell lynx. it was selective now, rather than indefinite, but now he figured lynx had a right to know. considering his current obvious depression, this could possibly cheer him. lynx had done nothing but help xander since they first began counseling--this was the least he could do.

so xander sat down, pat sam, looked at the board and marker, and finally rested his eyes on lynx.

"hey," came a quiet voice, raspy from lack of use. xander uttered this one word, no more, no less.

[lynx]

That was the first time in Lynx's life that Xander had said anything to him. There was this wide-eyed shocked look as he heard that soft word. Wow... it sounded so hoarse, having so much neglect and misuse, but...

He was so amazed. "H-hello Xander..." He was talking! Talking! He said a WORD.

In all honestly, Lynx could hardly believe he was alive, awake, and witnessing this. Yet, it was actually happening! His favorite patient talked!

"When...when did you start talking again?" He had to ask, bewildered that this was happening... his voice was a lot more... masculine than he had imagined, even if so soft and raspy.

[.xander;;]

masculine? MASCULINE? OF COURSE IT WAS MASCULINE, THIS IS THOMAS DEKKER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

xander's gaze fluctuated between lynx's general area and anywhere else. he figured the poor psychiatrist would be offended if he knew how long he had been speaking without the doctor's knowing. but he at least deserved to know, right?

he seemed to struggle with adding another word to his speech pattern, "two weeks."

[lynx]

Lynx nodded, understanding that Xander was taking a big step in telling him this. Wow, this might come up in pillow talk later. Probably not. So, here was Lynx, a soft, gentle smile on his face as he listened carefully. Sam was now at Xander's leg, whining softly for attention from her beloved mother.

"Thank you for telling me, I know it must've been difficult for you to start talking about... What... made you change like this?" Yes, he honestly wanted to know. He could answer simply, he didn't mind them sticking to one-to-three worded answers for awhile, this was going to tire him out after all.

Though he was so proud, no one would believe how his day had turned around so quickly!

[.xander;;]

xander scratched sam behind the ears distractedly, unsure what to say to lynx. he hadn't expected lynx to be so understanding of the time it took to actually talk to him, but then again this was quite in his character. despite that, he still didn't really know how to explain to the doctor why he had just recently begun speaking again. that would be an awkward conversation.

i did it to get laid, he thought sarcastically, although it was sadly rather true...

well, this was also kind of true. "people," he finally said, but ended up coughing and rasping because his throat really hurt, kthx.

[lynx]

He honestly really didn't believe that, and got up at that moment, a bottle of water fetched from his desk. Then Lynx walked over to Xander and set it down, so he could wet his throat.

"Here, drink when you get parched... I don't expect you to say much, and I'm really happy you're trying. So please talk as much as you can... This..." Smiling brightly. "I didn't expect you to start talking for another few months. You've surpassed my expectations again and again..."

Which was true, perhaps he was a much better psychologist than he had ever thought.

[.xander;;]

poor xander took a couple of gulps of water, thankful but not actually saying thanks because he was a total douche like that. his throat felt a little better although he choked on the first couple of sips. poor, poor xander. but in all honesty he felt a little better when he was talking. it was like he was able to release shit that had been building up inside him for years and years.

he didn't really have anything to say, so he just nodded in response.

[lynx]

Lynx looked at his schedule as he sat back down, the calender had big red letters that said 'DATE WITH DAN' at the bottom. A flush somewhat came to his cheeks at that, and then he just looked to the side and smiled a little. Yeah, so he really did like him.

Then his attention was turned back to Xander when he sat down. Psychiatrist Lynx was back, so the switch had been flipped. "Is there anything you want to tell me, Xander?"

[.xander;;]

xander was pretty good at not acknowledging things that weren't his business, so whatever lynx was flushing at didn't concern him in the slightest.

he began to say something, but words would no longer come out, so the poor mute boy just shook his head sadly. what was there to say?