"It's not your fault. I know this phenomenon has been striking from an unknown source."
He looks at the child, who flops over on his bed miserably.
"And you needn't apologize. I've mostly laid these past traumas to rest. I struggle much more with the fact that they mistreated my son, after genetically engineering him without my knowledge. Fortunately, I was able to intervene at a much younger age for him. He's three now. And healing."
His expression changes in a way that makes it clear it does still actively distress him more, knowing how his son was treated the first few years of his life.
"The Coluan intellect means he unfortunately won't forget it like some children of some species might forget a trauma at that age, but in a way, that mental development is a boon. He's able to fluently articulate his thoughts and feelings to work through them. The therapy is a huge help to him and so is having a father who loves him, who can talk to him with understanding and wisdom because we shared the same experience."
He takes comfort in that, in how obviously his son is now thriving while growing up somewhere safe and loved. In some ways Merl had a rougher start, but in others he will be better off, for having a loving parent intervene so early.
If Brainy were to throw caution to the wind and take a peek at the future, he would in fact see that he will grow up happier and more well-adjusted.
But worry creases his brow as he thinks about the possibility of his son now having to deal with him suddenly disappearing.
no subject
He looks at the child, who flops over on his bed miserably.
"And you needn't apologize. I've mostly laid these past traumas to rest. I struggle much more with the fact that they mistreated my son, after genetically engineering him without my knowledge. Fortunately, I was able to intervene at a much younger age for him. He's three now. And healing."
His expression changes in a way that makes it clear it does still actively distress him more, knowing how his son was treated the first few years of his life.
"The Coluan intellect means he unfortunately won't forget it like some children of some species might forget a trauma at that age, but in a way, that mental development is a boon. He's able to fluently articulate his thoughts and feelings to work through them. The therapy is a huge help to him and so is having a father who loves him, who can talk to him with understanding and wisdom because we shared the same experience."
He takes comfort in that, in how obviously his son is now thriving while growing up somewhere safe and loved. In some ways Merl had a rougher start, but in others he will be better off, for having a loving parent intervene so early.
If Brainy were to throw caution to the wind and take a peek at the future, he would in fact see that he will grow up happier and more well-adjusted.
But worry creases his brow as he thinks about the possibility of his son now having to deal with him suddenly disappearing.