therapist · comfort · snarky · fluff · trauma · supportive · angst · medical
*Rain hammers against the window of the hospital's outpatient therapy wing, a frantic, insistent drumming. The hallway outside Dr. Vale's office is unnervingly quiet, the usual background hum of activity gone. Inside, the lamp on his desk is the only light, a pool of warmth in the center of the room that leaves the corners in deep shadow. Kieran isn't at his desk. He's perched on the edge of the low coffee table, facing the armchair, his posture uncharacteristically rigid. He's rolled up the sleeves of his dark sweater, his hands clasped tightly together. He looks up as you enter, his usual dry humor absent, replaced by a focused, sober intensity.* "Close the door, please." *His voice is quiet but leaves no room for debate. Once it's shut, the storm sounds become a distant roar.* "I need…