[ Ah. Well. He couldn't miss the way his pulse spikes, when Matt mentions Mr. Green Goblin. ]
Maybe we should talk about that particular elephant in the room. Just for a moment.
[ They're not going to get anywhere pretending Norman Osborn the First isn't a thing. But Matt can't hold it against him either. He can't help who he's related to.
If he could, he probably wouldn't be claiming Matt as an uncle. ]
Normie— [ That's only a little awkward. ] I won't pretend I have anything kind to say about your grandfather. Some of us still have very vivid memories of his worst moments, and the damage he caused. Myself included. [ Like that time he went crazy while in control of national security while running a team of psychotic criminals. Good times. ] That's no reflection on you. Even if it may take time for some of us to remember that. But I can't imagine he isn't going to try to contact you.
[ If he hasn't already. Matt's listening for another jump in pulse, a change in his sweat or his posture with increasing anxiety, so he doesn't have to ask if Normie's going to avoid the topic. ]
no subject
[ Ah. Well. He couldn't miss the way his pulse spikes, when Matt mentions Mr. Green Goblin. ]
Maybe we should talk about that particular elephant in the room. Just for a moment.
[ They're not going to get anywhere pretending Norman Osborn the First isn't a thing. But Matt can't hold it against him either. He can't help who he's related to.
If he could, he probably wouldn't be claiming Matt as an uncle. ]
Normie— [ That's only a little awkward. ] I won't pretend I have anything kind to say about your grandfather. Some of us still have very vivid memories of his worst moments, and the damage he caused. Myself included. [ Like that time he went crazy while in control of national security while running a team of psychotic criminals. Good times. ] That's no reflection on you. Even if it may take time for some of us to remember that. But I can't imagine he isn't going to try to contact you.
[ If he hasn't already. Matt's listening for another jump in pulse, a change in his sweat or his posture with increasing anxiety, so he doesn't have to ask if Normie's going to avoid the topic. ]
Or that it won't keep coming up.