darker_london | Just got to know what to say (Peter, Darren) Slightly PG-13ish descriptions?

After his successful attempt to help Detective Horne, Peter thought he might as well keep going. Helping other people made him feel more like himself each day, and that was very, very important. That was why Peter made his way to the wing which held the demon residents of his hospital. One of the inhabitants was a demon he'd met nearly 10 years ago. His name was Darren, and his mother had rung Peter for help back when Peter had been in seminary, preparing to enter the priesthood. Peter had tried to help, but in the end Darren had slaughtered his mother and hung her body from the kitchen ceiling. And now he was here. And Peter was about to put himself in the room with him.

Peter made sure to lock the door behind him-and go in without his cane, as that was a potential weapon. He'd just have to do his best to balance. "Hello, Darren." Peter said calmly.

Darren looked up and he offered Peter a smile he didn't mean. "Ah, Father Kemp."

"You don't have to call me that anymore."

"It's habit. Hah, habit. Get it?!"

Peter's lips formed a thin line. "Yes, yes. How very droll." He said flatly. "How are you today, Darren?"

"Your people don't drug me." As if that explained exactly how he was doing.

"No. You don't need drugs, Darren, there's nothing wrong with you."

"So trusting." Darren hissed. He stood and he started circling Peter, slowly but his pace was even. Peter stood his ground, even though he was feeling apprehensive. He could sense Darren's demonic aura very strongly, and it didn't help that he had terrible claustrophobia from being locked in several too many places. "How do you know I won't kill you without them?"

Peter shrugged. "Try it. Be sure to tell me how much satisfaction it brings you."

"Won't be able to, Father. You'll be dead."

"That...might surprise you." Peter said with a wry look. "What do you want to do to me?" And then Peter listened patiently as Darren rattled off every last disturbing thing he wanted to do to Peter, or with Peter, or...with bits of him. When he reached 'burn your face with acid until you're unrecognisable, put a knife in your hands, suck your soul until you're disoriented and then put you in your family's house so they kill you thinking you're an intruder' he seemed to run out of steam. Peter had to admit that was terribly creative. Most demons were of the 'torture for weeks' or 'kill now' variety. They didn't tend to involve others. Once Darren had finished, Peter levelled him with a look. "And what possible outcome would...all of that achieve?"

"You'll be dead." Darren said, as if Peter happened to be a very dull 5-year-old.

"And that's what you want? Just that? That is what would make you happy? See, I have a hard time believing that. Sure, it'll cause momentary enjoyment. But as far as long term goals go, it's sort of lacking. Besides, if that was the only thing you wanted in the world, you'd have done it already instead of faffing on about it for 20 minutes. And even if you did it now...then what? Would your life be fulfilled?"

"I'd still be stuck here."

Peter nodded. "Yes. Because I have a responsibility to protect people. And if all you want to do is kill, what use are you out there?" Darren glared at Peter, and Peter thought he'd better reiterate. "That...was an actual question. It wasn't rhetorical. Darren. Tell me. What do you have to offer the world? I believe you have a lot to offer it, but that's not my decision to make."

"I...I was good at football..." Darren gave Peter an odd look. Was that really good enough? "And rugby."

Peter grimaced because the thought of Darren playing rugby was intensely terrifying. Still, he did his best to smile through it. "And playing football...and...rugby...that makes you happy?"

Darren shrugged. "Can't play here."

"No. No you can't. How badly do you want to get out? Because, Darren...I don't want to keep you here forever. I will, if you decide that hurting people is more important than finally getting to play football again. And you'll be comfortable here, and you'll be taken care of. I'll come visit you, so you won't be completely alone. But is that what you really want?"

Ever so slowly, Darren shook his head.

"Do you still want to kill me?" Peter asked, and when Darren hesitated, and then nodded, Peter smiled. Darren hadn't lied to say what he thought Peter wanted to hear. Very good sign. "Are you going to?" Peter raised his arms halfway in an 'I'm defenseless' gesture. "Because if you are, you'd best get it over with before I befuddle you more."

Darren struggled with that. He even reached forward, and then he took a bit of Peter's soul in to himself, moaning a little, as Peter's pure presence filled him up and made his head spin quite pleasurably. Peter leaned against the wall and his vision blurred, but he was okay other than that. And finally, Darren said "No."

"You do understand that means you can't harm anyone else either? We want to help you. And you have just proven that you can control your impulses if you want to. You are stronger than they are. We can help you, but you have to help back."

Darren sighed and he took a seat back on his bed. "I don't want to be here forever. I really don't."

Peter headed back for the door. "Okay, Darren. Then don't be. The only person keeping you here, is you." And when Katia let him back out of the room again, Peter waited until he was safely in his office again before sinking to the floor and allowing his aching, rebelling muscles to rest.