T-to be quite honest, it wouldn't su-surprise me if she considered i-i-it! But no, it's a co-con-contingency, actually! I c-can't usually feel anything, and what--whatever I feel is not the same as what y-you feel.

[This would be so much easier if he could talk straight, but hey. At least he's explaining, and at least it does make sense. Or should.

Maybe not.]

Alphys pro-programmed a sense of p-pain if I'm ex-experiencing something likely to l-leave lasting damage! Like bl-blunt force trauma, o-or compromising internal damage.

[He pauses, watching Tony work for a moment. The next part o this explanation actually does make their entire conversation technically not safe for work, but you better not stop, Mr. Stark.]

How I ch-choose to perceive this "pain" is a-a-all on me. B-b-better to enjoy pain than enjoy f-feeling absolutely no-nothing.

It makes me feel alive!