[He lifts the cup to his lips, and takes a slow sip before he clears his throat and settles it back down.]
That's not true at all. First of all - it's not how other people deal with what they go through. It's how you deal with it. That's it. No one else. You can't put a time limit on how long you're allowed to be bothered by something you've done or seen. You can't compare yourself to other people for two reasons - first, their life experiences have lead them to deal with things differently than yours have, and second-- Korra, you don't know what they're thinking. If they're hurting or not. People are good at hiding this sort of thing. For a lot of them, their lives can depend on it. It's not that they're lying to you about it on purpose, it's just-- coming to terms with trauma is difficult for everyone in different ways.
[He shifts his weight, and leans forward so his elbows are braced on the table. Sam put his problems on the table first. It's what made him an effective counselor. Never let it be said that Steve doesn't learn.]
I still have nightmares about the first time I killed someone with a bayonet. That's-- a knife, on the end of a gun. It was more than five years ago, for me, and when I dream I can still feel the heat rising off the [-- spilled intestines, but--] blood as it hit the snow. I don't think he was older than sixteen. Lot of boys lied about their age to sign up real young, on both sides. [His expression twists, and he tries for a weak smile.] That stays with you.
[And he wouldn't want it otherwise. The least he can do is carry that weight.]
no subject
That's not true at all. First of all - it's not how other people deal with what they go through. It's how you deal with it. That's it. No one else. You can't put a time limit on how long you're allowed to be bothered by something you've done or seen. You can't compare yourself to other people for two reasons - first, their life experiences have lead them to deal with things differently than yours have, and second-- Korra, you don't know what they're thinking. If they're hurting or not. People are good at hiding this sort of thing. For a lot of them, their lives can depend on it. It's not that they're lying to you about it on purpose, it's just-- coming to terms with trauma is difficult for everyone in different ways.
[He shifts his weight, and leans forward so his elbows are braced on the table. Sam put his problems on the table first. It's what made him an effective counselor. Never let it be said that Steve doesn't learn.]
I still have nightmares about the first time I killed someone with a bayonet. That's-- a knife, on the end of a gun. It was more than five years ago, for me, and when I dream I can still feel the heat rising off the [-- spilled intestines, but--] blood as it hit the snow. I don't think he was older than sixteen. Lot of boys lied about their age to sign up real young, on both sides. [His expression twists, and he tries for a weak smile.] That stays with you.
[And he wouldn't want it otherwise. The least he can do is carry that weight.]