[It doesn't bother him; he knows he's a monster, even plays it up sometimes for dramatic effect. He doesn't think the way normal people think, he doesn't act the way normal people act. It makes sense. It fits him.
Except...maybe...
Maybe it no longer has to.
For a little bit, anyway.
The corners of his mouth twitch, under his mask, as an unfamiliar warmth fills his heart, twisting it...not painfully, but strongly. It does hurt, a little, but he thinks maybe he could get used to it.
It feels strange to smile, to really smile, underneath the mask. He does a lot of unseen teeth-baring and grimacing, of course, and plenty of yelling, but none of those feel quite the same as what he's doing now. Maybe she can see it in his eye; she's close enough. It's possible.
He stirs for the first time since sitting down, sitting up straight and leaning forward just a bit to hold out a hand.]
Are you ready to flay some scalps?
[...Aaaaand back to the nonsensical gibberish as usual. At least he got a few proper words out.]
[[♥♥♥]]
Except...maybe...
Maybe it no longer has to.
For a little bit, anyway.
The corners of his mouth twitch, under his mask, as an unfamiliar warmth fills his heart, twisting it...not painfully, but strongly. It does hurt, a little, but he thinks maybe he could get used to it.
It feels strange to smile, to really smile, underneath the mask. He does a lot of unseen teeth-baring and grimacing, of course, and plenty of yelling, but none of those feel quite the same as what he's doing now. Maybe she can see it in his eye; she's close enough. It's possible.
He stirs for the first time since sitting down, sitting up straight and leaning forward just a bit to hold out a hand.]
Are you ready to flay some scalps?
[...Aaaaand back to the nonsensical gibberish as usual. At least he got a few proper words out.]