I hear you.

[ and he does. it is a distinction Abel has not failed to make, nor one he doesn't understand. this point is one he understands too well; it is too close to home. too personal.

...that grief - and self-loathing - is more than a mere glimmer, more than background noise, as he looks into Rand's eyes. ]

There is part of you that says you should bury yourself... literally, if not figuratively. It will not save you. If anything, the only thing you would invite is the hastening of that inevitable end.

[ ...a maddening end. one that would see him losing everything, and at his own hands.

right...? ]

If you fail yourself, you will fail them. If you don't try, if you don't let those around you anchor and support you - you will lose yourself. And whatever part of you is left to scream and howl and rage after that... all it will have is the bitter regret that you had not tried any other way than this. That you had tried to go it alone. That you didn't trust those you love, to love you in return.

There is no hole deep enough to run from it. All you can do... is fight. Alone, or together - but you must choose.