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[soft_shelled]

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Comments

[detectivision]

[His head tilts, listening.]

Is it only Leo you're comparing yourself to? Or are you measuring yourself against everyone else, as well?

I would bet you're better at the "ninja thing" than most.

[soft_shelled]

Leo, Raph, Mikey... You know, the ones that matter.

[And maybe also Bucky, he knows Bucky can better protect his brother than him.]

But I'm not better at the whole... Monster thing. [He gives in to his hunting instinct way too much, after all.]

[detectivision]

[Well, there is that. But no one's self control is at its best at that age.]

Yet surely you are not the worst. I've yet to see you stumble, in ways I have witnessed often in others.

What is it about being a monster that you'd like to get better at?

[soft_shelled]

[Some more sipping of his drink now, as he considers how to answer that.]

I give into instinct way too much.

[detectivision]

[...there's two ways that could go.]

Murderous instinct, or...the chasing-stray-feathers sort?

[soft_shelled]

[Hmm... Donnie would be pressing his index fingers together if he wasn't holding a glass right now.]

Both? ... Both.

[detectivision]

Well -- they are not unrelated.

[Sherlock takes half a moment to retrace the conversation, to determine how they got here, and if this is still relevant to the goal he wants to achieve.

Make Donnie feel like his wellbeing is worth fighting for. He's insecure about his skill set. Okay, yes, they can continue forward.]

Do you hunt anything at all, besides the...instances in which you cannot help yourself?

[soft_shelled]

[And here Donnie was hoping they have left the original path of this conversation behind!]

Not really? I don't exactly have the time for such things.

[detectivision]

[He's just coming at the topic from a new angle, Donnie, like a cat trying to get at your cheeseburger by climbing the back of the sofa and sneaking up behind you when the direct approach failed.]

That might help with your self-control. Learning how it feels to chase something deliberately may help you resist the impulse when it comes on unexpectedly.

[soft_shelled]

But if I do that I'll never hear the end of it from Leo.

[His pride, Sherlock! His pride!]

THAT ICON LMAO

[detectivision]

[With a conspiratorial raise of an eyebrow:]

Leo doesn't have to know.

[He lifts a hand, gestures to the surprisingly nice weather outside.]

I am not usually one for it, myself. [Tragically, he's rather fond of animals.] But the weather is good for it. You can't hope to get better at anything without practice.

[soft_shelled]

He'll find out, somehow.

[Donnie doesn't trust that Leo won't find out. As to Sherlock's offer?

He shakes his head.]

I'm busy, got plans.

[To mope and cry.]

[detectivision]

What on earth is there to be ashamed of? It's the sort of pursuit many men are quite proud of, once they get good at it. And being good at being a manticore will be something to be proud of, too.

If you don't work on it, Leo will get you every time with the feathers. Or a laser dot.

[soft_shelled]

Ah but see, if he does that? I can just sting him in revenge.

[Yes, he is willing to paralyze his brother.]

[detectivision]

[Oh no, there's been plenty of times Sherlock would have paralyzed his brother, had it been an option.]

So you'll sting him for making fun of you for making you hunt feathers -- but not for making fun of you for choosing to hone your skills and master your instincts.

[He gives Donnie a Look.]

If you are going to sting him either way, you may as well have the benefits of being better at being a monster. You can rub it in his face, when you don't chase the dot.

[soft_shelled]

Oh you think I wouldn't do it to him for both?

[Sherlock, have you seen these two fight? He bites Leo almost constantly for no reason other than he can.

As to Sherlock's attempt to get Donnie to rise to his bait? He shakes his head no again.]

Maybe some other time though, I'm busy.

[detectivision]

Doing what?

[Eyebrow up! What's more important than self improvement, teen?]

[soft_shelled]

Important private things!

[His tail is lashing about in irritation, and Sherlock is never going to get Donnie to outright say "I'd like to resume crying and feeling miserable" ever.]

[detectivision]

Mm. Well. Grief is a process.

[He actually thinks he gets it, a little. But come on, Donnie, it's not like she's dead!]

When you are less indisposed and more disposed towards working on the problem, we'll talk again. But remember -- when you don't take care of yourself, it means the people who love you have to take that on instead. Looking after your own wellbeing makes you a better friend, and a better partner.

[Is this the healthiest angle to approach the problem from? Hell no. But they're in monster hell, and Donnie needs to start considering his own wellbeing, even if it is just for the sake of the people he cares about.]

[soft_shelled]

[Well it certainly feels like she is, or at least is going to dump him.]

I take care of myself just fine.

[Is all he has to say on the subject, as he goes to head back to his room now and leave Sherlock to do whatever Sherlock thing he wants to do.]

[detectivision]

[This denial is the only denial he has ever encountered that rivals his own. Without getting up, or even turning to look:]

When it ceases to cause problems between yourself and your loved ones, then you may say it is fine.

[two cases of getthelastworditis. two of them.]