captivity

[full_of_wrath]

Kirk gets called in. Mostly because Khan has made two duty officers guarding his cell ask to be relieved, one of them in tears.

He creates a lot of wear and tear, in general.

Comments

[full_of_wrath]

"No. Because you weren't aware of it. I'll confess, however, I was using certain... tools, I'd earned in that position before to overcome the desire to flee or flinch."

Explaining, helpfully.

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"Like what?"

Right now, Kirk doesn't know what to think of himself, of what he had done. He doesn't regret it, but the undertones are a new dimension.

[full_of_wrath]

"Patience. Stoicism."

He admits, and then.

"Recontextualization. It's easy, now, to do something terrible for another cause."

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"I don't think I'm hearing this right, impact play taught you to recontextualize everything else?"

[full_of_wrath]

"No. Yes."

He says, then rubs a hand over his eyes.

"I'd like to rest before we discuss this."

[kobayashiwhatnow]

Kirk nods, and steps aside, inviting Khan to walk with him.

"You've been up since yesterday?"

[full_of_wrath]

"There was a different day cycle on the planet. I'm... more than a little disoriented."

He could do with some food as well.

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"We operate on a twenty-four hour schedule, like the one on earth. I'll fit you with something to keep the time for you."

He'll need it for his shifts anyway.

[full_of_wrath]

"Of course. With the shift complete, it's back to quarters?"

Checking now, with mild relief.

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"Right. You'll have about twelve hours before your next shift--time to eat and sleep and eat again."

He's leading the way, in case Khan is too disoriented to remember.

[full_of_wrath]

He follows after him, comfortably.

"I presume I shouldn't go to the mess by myself?"

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"You can. No one's going to bother you."

And if they do, Kirk will deal with it, but by now everyone knows how dangerous Khan can be.

[full_of_wrath]

"But I can take food and leave?"

Wanting permission for that, badly.

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"Yes."

Kirk decides, after a second of thought. There's no reason to make Khan feel as if he's in danger while he eats. Over time he'll work on integrating him.

[full_of_wrath]

He inclines his head, in gratitude.

"Did you read more, Captain?"

He only asks because they're at his quarters now. Khan moves into the doorway, and then nods him inside.

[kobayashiwhatnow]

Kirk walks in on the invitation, remembering the promise that Khan's quarters would be private.

"Yeah, I read up as much as I could in an hour. There's a lot more out there than I thought there'd be."

[full_of_wrath]

"I wouldn't be surprised if it hasn't died off quite as much as one might be led to believe."

He admits, offering Jim the chair provided, sitting on the edge of the bed himself.

"What were you curious about?"

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"I'm sure there are pockets of it around. I know a lot of girls who are into restraints."

He sits down, slouching forward like he tends to do.

"I'm interested in impact play--I guess I've been interested in it my whole life, I just didn't know that's what it was. Or that it could be done without stepping on a lot of toes."

[full_of_wrath]

"That has to do with masochism. Do you know what that is, Captain?"

Because if he had to make a guess, he'd say Kirk qualified. He's kicked him around before.

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"Deriving pleasure--sometimes sexual pleasure--from pain. We still have that."

He answers dryly, but he sees what Khan is getting at and offers a grim smile.

[full_of_wrath]

"And sadism? Where does your world come down on that little treat?"

He murmurs, looking up at him a little more accusingly.

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"It's frowned on."

A lot, actually. He's disguising his guilt as best he can, and not allowing himself to become defensive.

[full_of_wrath]

"Well, we wouldn't want to make anyone frown, would we?"

He asks, still with a bit of an edge.

"I don't like being beat."

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"You won't be."

His tone is rough, just shy of a snarl.

[full_of_wrath]

"Will you be? We could arrange something."

He's curious to ask.

"As part of service."