traumatizing | (no subject)

[listening and sighing]

[pauses and frowns. why is every session like being punched in the chest]

... How are you doing today, Penance?

[Calmly:] Fine.

[sighs] No concerns? Nothing you want to talk about?

Everything's the same as last week. But I...

[He looks down at his hand as he curls it into a fist and the relaxes it.] I think I'm getting stronger.

That's... [Good? Bad? He starts to jot it down and then thinks better of it because hahahaha working for Norman Osborn, as if his files would be safe]

Has something changed, or.... Is it more like natural growth?

I think it's the suit. [He looks at Terry with a calm, earnest expression.]

[nods] How do you feel about that? You don't seem particularly bothered by it.

[He sighs.] Part of me likes having that much power. But I'll never forget what each of those spikes mean.

It's not unusual to... Enjoy feeling stronger. More powerful. Especially for superhumans. It's nothing to worry about, unless you think it could become addictive.

[He looks at his forearm, all the puncture wounds.] What if the pain's addictive?

[oh god the frowniest frown]

What is it specifically about the pain that's addictive? [He pauses because this is directly disregarding the outlines Osborn gave him for dealing with Penance

but man, fuck that guy] Actually-- Would I be right to assume it's to do with your guilt for the Stamford incident?

I'm worried... [He stops himself, but continues a moment later.]

I'm worried that I'm starting to enjoy it.

[He gives quite the pause to think about the best way to go about this without getting someone on his heels about it, and starts jotting some stuff down.]

Before we go any further, I'm going to sign you off active duty for a week. If you can, I want you to stay out of that suit while you're off.

[looks up from his notes all concerned and stuff] I can't honestly tell you that enjoying the pain is wrong, but I am worried about where it's coming from. Taking some time away from the suit may help you get a more accurate idea of your feelings about it.

[He sighs, a little uncomfortable with having to stay out of the suit, but not all that upset about not having to listen to Moonstone for a week.]

What do I do for a week?

Relax, mostly.

[rubs his chin] Well, if you weren't being thrown head first into some kind of fight every other day, what would you ideally like to do with that time?

All the time I've had to myself has been in a jail cell.

[THAT IS NO WAY TO LIVE. He frowns and looks at his watch.]

I'm going to take you somewhere to eat. They can't make too much fuss about me taking you off-site if it's part of your therapy.

[Sits back.] They will anyway. But at least Norman won't arrest me without a valid reason.

[snorts and stands to grab his jacket]

So what kind of food do you like?

[OH BOY I HOPE HE SAYS CHEAP FOOD]

I could go for anything.

There's a diner not too far from here. The food isn't great but their coffee's amazing. How's that sound?

Great.

[kinda half-smiles/half-unfrowns/half-scowls and gestures toward the door]

Let's go.

[Follows.]

[To the Trauma-mobile! /o/]

[Tugs at his sleeves to hide his scars.]

[Starts the car, and away we go]

You don't think people will stare...?

Some people will. I mean, look at us. [some weird emo kid and a rough looking dude with piercings. how could that not attract even a little attention]

[Looks over at him, all concerned at whatnot] Is that a problem? We can go somewhere else if you want.

No, no. I used to wish people would stare, you know?

Why's that?

I loved the attention. I got it any way I could. [Including doing some dumb TV show that ended with one of the biggest disasters in however long.]

[FROWN. Ugh he really can't say any of what he wants to say because of fucking Osborn]

[SO IT'S PRETTY CONVENIENT THAT THEY'VE ARRIVED NOW HUH.]

[Kind of just looks at the diner for a bit before he undoes his seatbelt and gets out of the car.]

[Shoots a mildly concerned look his way before he gets out of the car and heads off to go in and get a booth and all that]

Weird being out without H.A.M.M.E.R. agents "escorting" me.

[snorts] They're around, though.

I know.

[Peruses a menu]

[HM.]

How are the burgers?

Okay. Depends on the cook, but I've never had a bad one.