"I would love to."

He unhugs reluctantly, and grasps Ari's hand tight. Ari's hands are significantly bigger than his. In spite of his mood, this is still kind of hot.

Ari leads him down the hall, swinging his hand gently.

They reach the therapy office in short order. The receptionist tells them to go to office 27.

Inside is an asari, purple-skinned with intricate facial markings. She stands up from her desk when they enter, and she looks surprised.

     "Valentin Saint-Martin! Wow. I've seen some really out-there stuff here, but mostly it was more like 'blue elephant woman with six arms' than 'war hero my mom has a crush on'."

"Hi!" Tintin says, blushing slightly. "What are the odds, right? However many worlds known to the OTC, and I get assigned to you."

     "Pretty crazy! Uh, are you here with this gentleman as a couples thing, or is one of you providing moral support, or..."

"Moral support," Ari confirms. "For the war hero."

     "Cool. What seems to be the problem?"

Tintin shrinks in on himself. "I'm, uh... having a hard time setting boundaries. And... talking about what I want."

     She nods. "Not uncommon. You don't have to be embarrassed. Do you want to do this the easy way, or the standard way?"

"There's an easy way?" Tintin blinks.

     She taps one of her head-fronds. "Asari."

"Oh. Of course."

"What exactly does that mean?"

     "We're natural telepaths," she explains. "It's not as simple as reaching in and flicking a switch, but it's a lot less trouble than cognitive-behavioral therapy. Which, to be clear, I'm also trained in."

"...how much would you see?"

     She shrugs. "A lot. It's all strictly confidential, of course, and trust me, I've seen worse, but I will have eyes on your memories and instincts. It isn't an impersonal process. Therapy never is."

"I - I want to think about it."

     "Of course. There's a private room through that door. Your friend can join you."

Ari follows him through the door, still holding his hand.

"It's your decision," he says. "First of all. I know I've been kind of pushy."

"No you haven't," Tintin says. "You've been setting boundaries. I don't want to be - messed-up like this."

"Everybody's messed up somehow. You don't have to fix yourself for me."

"It's not for - it's not just for you. It's for me."

"Then why don't you want it?"

"...have you ever had... thoughts... that you would never say to someone else? Something that feels like it'd kill you if anyone saw? That they'd know you weren't - a good person?"

"No. I'm pretty sure thoughts can't make you a bad person, and separately, I've never had a thought I wouldn't share - though I know that's more of a me thing."

"Never?"

"I am, almost literally, constitutionally incapable of shame. When I was thirteen years old, I played Truth or Dare and the other kids tried to find my breaking point. I ended up buck-naked in the front yard, jerking off with a carrot in my ass. When the police came to pick me up they gave me a drug test, because I wasn't even blushing."

He grins. "Nobody would play Truth or Dare with me after that."

Tintin chokes out a laugh. "Sacristi. You're inhuman."

"Proud of it. So you can see why I'm not a good yardstick for how ashamed you should be of things you haven't even done."

Tintin sighs. "I- I suppose. It's... I don't know. Am I being ridiculous?"

"Maybe. It's a God-given right to be ridiculous sometimes."

"But I don't need to exercise it at the most inconvenient possible time." He chews his lip.

"...may I have a kiss for good luck," he asks timidly.

"You may," Ari says. He leans over and kisses Tintin. His lips are soft, but his stubble ghosts across Tintin's skin.

Tintin has no such stubble. He laughs against Ari's lips. "It tickles."

Ari rubs his cheek against Tintin's.

Squeak!

Tintin will just have to shove his fingers in Ari's side, then!