Well, I can't improve on what has been said, only echo it. Even a few minutes of his voice could be a potent reminder that you won't be on your own forever, and that you are cared about. Knowing that, if you're bonded with your T, that little bit of contact can really put calm in your heart when nothing else can. And can you imagine reporting to him when he returns, "Yeah, I was dead miserable, at the end of my rope, but no, even though you said I should, I didn't call you because I'm not worth it." Imagine the side-eye your T would give you at that! Get out of your own way, and reach out for some healing.

And, if you do talk to your T, maybe he could recommend a respected colleague for you to use as a sounding board in the meantime, if the pressure gets to be too much. Not for therapy per se, but just as a sympathetic ear. Doesn't mean you'd have to use it, but it might be helpful at crunch time.

And, for the teeny tiny bit that it may be worth, you have much value to me, Mastodon, and I would wager I'm not alone here. A portion of those 772 hugs you've given have been given to me, and I have appreciated every one of them. So, on behalf of the other hug-ees, this one's for you: