I mean. Besides hurting like a bitch for a second, it shouldn't. Should hurt as much as it did when my SQUIP got activated, so I think he can handle it.

[He looks away from Connor to go back to hugging his knees. He's still listening, but the moment Connor goes back to defending the SQUIP, the instinct is to close off. Protect himself.

If he doesn't absorb what Connor is saying, it won't feel like he's being betrayed.

Unfortunately, if he doesn't absorb what Connor is saying, that means he isn't exactly being thoughtful with his responses. Panic is building up in him, making him dig his fingers into his arms as he struggles to breathe.]

Right. It didn't mean to, so it doesn't matter that I'm miserable. It doesn't matter that I had months of physical therapy. It doesn't matter that my dad nearly murdered me over the hospital bill, and it doesn't matter that I want to die! It was an accident so I guess it's forgiven!

[He's not sure when tears started streaming down his face. Probably around the same time blood started streaming down his arms, thanks to the small scrapes his talons left.]