It had always been easier to ignore his own needs to concentrate on Robbie. Robbie needed somebody steady and Vance could do that. Had always done that, ever since the trial. He'd leaned on his friends then, it only seemed right to be the rock for other people to lean on.

Vance took a moment, obviously thinking before he went to sit down. Not like he was thinking of leaving, but more like he was thinking of what to say. Which was a difference Robbie could probably spot. "I'm still going to talk to Dr. Ryk'rr about this," he said, finally. "Not because I'm not going to talk to you or that you aren't enough. But because..." Vance trailed off, frowning. "Because there could be more to it and I think maybe somebody professional can help me identify it."

And that was the crux of it. The fact that he'd been burying things for so much of his life. He was fine. He was always fine. Until he wasn't.

"The mission on Cargg. I didn't run into the Joker, but me and Jason--Amp--ended up tangling with this guy dressed like a scarecrow. I've since found out that he was based on one of the villains from the Joker's time. No powers, but he had this gas that brought up someone's worst fears."