A Reluctant Visitor [Sean]

[Dr. Sean Neville]

At least he had gotten the point across; the psychiatrist was relieved to see that Horus understood the health ramifications, and that he had the resolve to try and stop. “Yes, you really do,” the psychiatrist confirmed with a nod. Not only did he have to try, but in the end, Horus was the only one who could do it; nobody else could do it for him. His expression was sympathetic, because he [understood[, because he knew what it was to feel like one might drown in feelings that way. “I know it’s scary, but as bad as it gets, the feelings can’t hurt you more than you can hurt yourself.” The news about the scissors also wasn’t surprising, but it was disheartening. “We’ll work together, you and I, to make sure you don’t start digging into your stomach again. Agreed?”

The psychiatrist returned the smile, not merely for the compliment but because of the mention of Vincent and Sam’s opinions of him. “They come to my office primarily after they misbehave, and so their view, while inaccurate, is understandable.” Of course, if they would stop the fighting, the blackmail, the dares, the bets, the class disruption, the sexual harassment, and the substance abuse, they wouldn’t have to see him for discipline, but that was another matter entirely. “I can work around your class and training schedules, but would Monday and Thursday work for you, in the late afternoon?” That would make sure Horus went to all of his classes, and it would prevent him having to survive too long a stretch between meetings.

The boy’s need to sleep was to be expected; the telepath was aware of his narcolepsy, as was every other faculty member and most likely the entire student body, their friends and families. However, since Sean had put aside a large block of time for Horus, considering the nature of the meeting, it could survive the boy’s need to take a nap. If he decided to get some extra work done, it wouldn’t be confidential, and it also would be quite, so as not to wake the boy. “You’re welcome, and it’s fine if you want to take a nap. Don’t worry about it.”

[Horus Richmond]

Horus felt a blush creep into his cheeks as Sean reiterated the scissors incident, wrapping his arms around himself for a moment. "It was a fuckin' stupid thing t'do." He added quietly, picking at a few bobbles on his hoodie. "I just felt s'angry wit'myself." He shrugged, then settled down in the armchair.

When Sean suggested the hours, he smiled. "Yeah, thass fine." He said with a little chuckle, shrugging his shoulders. As long as it meant more time in this impossibly comfortable armchair. "I don' do much 'cept sleep in m'spare time anyway." Horus offered a yawn shortly after, his arms folded around his chest.

"Thanks Dr. Neville." The blonde slurred as sleep started to impair his speech further. "Y'really... awesome." He gave a thumbs up, then snuggled deep into the armchair, his lids drooping. "Really..." His voice disappeared in sleep as Horus gave in to the tiredness that had suddenly come over him, and suddenly felt like he could cope with this "affliction" a lot better. It managed to make him smile a little in his sleep. Maybe things would be alright after all.

[Dr. Sean Neville]

“I know.” The psychiatrist knew all of that: that it had been a profoundly bad idea, that Horus regretted it, and the intense anger and self-loathing that had caused him to do it in the first place. But those facts together meant that Horus wouldn’t have a repeat incident, because he didn’t want to, and he had a strong support system to lean on now. The tools to manage that anger and that pain were at his finger tips.

“Good,” Sean said with a nod, and he reached for his calendar to mark in Horus’s next two appointments. The others would fall into place afterward, and they could adjust as necessary. He made sure that the bloc of time that he reserved was after classes, and he would double check with Horus’s trainer to make sure that there were no conflicts.

The psychiatrist chuckled lightly at the description of him being “awesome;” he didn’t hear that often. He gave the boy another whispered “You’re welcome,” and then he let him sleep. Horus could use the rest, and he wouldn’t disturb the telepath in any of the paperwork he had to do. If he was still asleep at the end of the day, when it was time to go home and time for the boy to go to supper, Sean would wake him and let him get on his way. Otherwise, he could rest.

The telepath reached for Horus’s file and began to make treatment notes to himself, all the while the blond boy slept across from him.