[He's quiet for a bit, trying to process what he's just heard. If it's true, then-]
[Then he doesn't have to be a leader. He doesn't have to be the best. He doesn't have to be perfect, or as close as he can humanly get, or even competent right now.]
[He just has to try.]
[Tension that pulled tight across his chest and shoulders - tension he wasn't even aware he was carrying - slowly unwinds, and he breathes. He just has to try. It's freeing in a way he hasn't felt in a very long time, and somehow it's exactly what he needed to hear.]
Thanks.
[It's a bit unsteady but utterly sincere.]
[He takes a moment to try to stabilize himself. Just because he doesn't have to be completely competent right away doesn't mean he gets to be a wreck either.]
no subject
[Then he doesn't have to be a leader. He doesn't have to be the best. He doesn't have to be perfect, or as close as he can humanly get, or even competent right now.]
[He just has to try.]
[Tension that pulled tight across his chest and shoulders - tension he wasn't even aware he was carrying - slowly unwinds, and he breathes. He just has to try. It's freeing in a way he hasn't felt in a very long time, and somehow it's exactly what he needed to hear.]
Thanks.
[It's a bit unsteady but utterly sincere.]
[He takes a moment to try to stabilize himself. Just because he doesn't have to be completely competent right away doesn't mean he gets to be a wreck either.]
I...don't think I ever got your name.