Private Finished Always gotta be the hero

Broen couldn't say he was sick to his stomach; he'd been through too much to let something like this affect him that much. And he could be petty in his own right, which is exactly what it sounded like this Pietro guy was being. But to pull Levina into it, someone who really shouldn't have been involved anyway...

He didn't say anything at first, just leaned over and pulled Levina into a hug. Taking care of where his hands were; he didn't want to give her the wrong impression. He wanted to comfort her, not abuse her trusting him enough to open up like this.

"You don't deserve this, Levina. This is fucked, you know? He, they're using you like a pawn. An accessory. And that's... I don't like that at fucking all."

The more he thought about it, the worse the implications got for him. He blurted out, almost without thinking, "They're not making you, like, fuck them or anything are they?"

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to imply anything. I just have to do my due diligence." Broen said as he backed away a bit, holding his hands up in a non-threatening way. Palms open and facing her, fingers splayed.

"Just, clearly this whole shit situation has got you stressed. It's not fair to put you through this. Have you talked to any of them about how you're feeling?"

He already knew the answer; Levina didn't seem like the share feelings type. Just like he used to be. And if it had been him, the only way he would have come to anyone and broken down like this was if he was at the end of his rope.

He was saved briefly by a knock at the door and a text. Looking at his phone, he said, "Pizza's here. Let's get some food. Might help you feel a little better."

Broen came back with the pizzas. He had opted for two smaller ones; one cheese and the other a supreme. Inoffensive toppings, ones that nobody could really complain about. At least in his book.

He did as he was asked and gave the somewhat confused delivery driver Levina's greeting. Apparently she didn't have guys over at her apartment often enough for Jacob to not think it was weird.

"Eat up. You need something on your stomach. It'll help, at least a little."

Broen let Levina get the first choice of the pizza, leaning on the couch as he watched her. "I am sorry you're going through this. I don't know if there's anything I can do to help other than listen and talk like this, but if there is just say the word."

He paused and grinned a bit, pointing at her and adding jokingly, "If it's illegal, it depends on what it is."

"I've never really cared much about what's proper. I know what I'm about." He finally took a seat and grabbed his own slice of pizza, folding it lengthwise to hold onto better as he ate.

"You're wrong about that though. Your feelings are the only ones that matter at the end of the day. I live by one code, and it's what I've done for years: I do whatever the fuck I want as long as I'm not hurting anybody. You taking care of your own emotions isn't the same as you acting maliciously against someone. And if your boss, much as I can tell you care about him, can't see that then he isn't worth your time."

He had a feeling she wouldn't like that. But he wasn't about to sugarcoat any of this for her. She needed to hear it, whether she wanted to or not.

"You're right," he said, his tone still firm but with a more sympathetic expression on his face. "I'm not you. And you're not me. But all I can do is tell you what's worked for me and promise to be there to help pick you up if you need it."

Broen was having a very bizarre moment here: he was sure he had had nearly this good fact same conversation with Captain Trigg when he had first gone to live with her. Back when he still kept up his emotional walls and spikes to keep people out.

"You're saying you've always rubbed your own nose in problems you didn't even necessarily create to make other people feel better. Tell me though, have you ever tried putting your own feelings first? Like, really doing it? Because I don't think you have, and I think if you did you'd see that I'm more right than you want to admit right now."

He wasn't going to push any further than she wanted him to. But he also wasn't going to let you until she told him to leave or it clicked with her, what he was saying.