[Felwinter doesn't pull away. If anything he seems to press a little closer, because he cares about this Lightforsaken nuisance. Gojo had warned him, when he'd committed to their imprint, that he was messy and broken. Fel had accepted him then. It would be a betrayal to turn away from him now.
He softens a little, pressing his face against Gojo's shoulder once more.]
If I were in your position, I would have killed him. I've killed others for less. So perhaps it's not my place to judge you.
[There's neither pride nor shame in him. He did what needed to be done. He would do it all over again in a heartbeat. But it's strange, now, thinking of Choso in the same light as those Warlords who had abused their power over innocents.]
But I have been dehumanised by every non-augmented I've met since I arrived here. The very same people I'm trying to protect. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, no matter what they were guilty of.
I know, Fel. [ Quiet, empathetic. He understands that's what's burning a lot of the fire under Fel in this argument. ] This one's not about you, though.
[ Ugh, does he have to be introspective because of Choso again? Again?
Why is he still emphasizing Choso being a curse, when he's already accepted him as effectively human, because of Yuuji? Why does he keep using it against Choso?
He knows why.
He's using it as a defense, to keep Choso at a distance and to lash out because he's hurting and scared. Gojo knows he's behaving like a wounded animal, all claws and teeth, but Choso keeps letting him bite ... and that's helping, even if it isn't fair. Each time he lashes out at Choso, Choso pushes back but he doesn't try to hurt Gojo in return. It's a combination of safe and strong that has worked to build trust fast. If he goes too far, he trusts Choso to stand up to him. And everything short of that is a matter of putting up with him. ]
You've seen him stand up to me. He's perfectly capable of handling me on his own.
Be good to him as part of your relationship with him.
When it comes to mine, let him do his own damn brat taming. [ Gojo's lips quirk at that, amused, but his mind flicks back to the few times that Choso's has done something to curb him a little. Gojo's liked that. ]
[That quiet sound Felwinter makes is... almost like a huff of amusement. But that seems unlikely, doesn't it? Fel is not an expressive man.]
I know he is. [That's why in the swamp he hadn't butted in until Choso had already said his piece. Not allowing him to defend himself is also depriving him of his autonomy.] I fully intend to encourage it.
[He tugs his arm free of Gojo's hold, only to search out his hand again, lacing their fingers together instead.]
I'm still going to speak to him. I want to know how he feels about it. The way you treat him.
[An awkward pause.]
It felt... right, to tell you, rather than going behind your back about it. I think that's important, too.
[ Gojo answers teasingly, then shrugs. Accepting the touch, he curls his fingers around Fel's hand, glad have the comfort and affection. He falls quiet, tired of talking (tired of arguing), and wanting just to be held, with the pleasure of the imprint soothing the edges of his lingering grief and guilt.]
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He softens a little, pressing his face against Gojo's shoulder once more.]
If I were in your position, I would have killed him. I've killed others for less. So perhaps it's not my place to judge you.
[There's neither pride nor shame in him. He did what needed to be done. He would do it all over again in a heartbeat. But it's strange, now, thinking of Choso in the same light as those Warlords who had abused their power over innocents.]
But I have been dehumanised by every non-augmented I've met since I arrived here. The very same people I'm trying to protect. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, no matter what they were guilty of.
[It just... hits a little too close to home.]
no subject
[ Ugh, does he have to be introspective because of Choso again? Again?
Why is he still emphasizing Choso being a curse, when he's already accepted him as effectively human, because of Yuuji? Why does he keep using it against Choso?
He knows why.
He's using it as a defense, to keep Choso at a distance and to lash out because he's hurting and scared. Gojo knows he's behaving like a wounded animal, all claws and teeth, but Choso keeps letting him bite ... and that's helping, even if it isn't fair. Each time he lashes out at Choso, Choso pushes back but he doesn't try to hurt Gojo in return. It's a combination of safe and strong that has worked to build trust fast. If he goes too far, he trusts Choso to stand up to him. And everything short of that is a matter of putting up with him. ]
You've seen him stand up to me. He's perfectly capable of handling me on his own.
Be good to him as part of your relationship with him.
When it comes to mine, let him do his own damn brat taming. [ Gojo's lips quirk at that, amused, but his mind flicks back to the few times that Choso's has done something to curb him a little. Gojo's liked that. ]
no subject
I know he is. [That's why in the swamp he hadn't butted in until Choso had already said his piece. Not allowing him to defend himself is also depriving him of his autonomy.] I fully intend to encourage it.
[He tugs his arm free of Gojo's hold, only to search out his hand again, lacing their fingers together instead.]
I'm still going to speak to him. I want to know how he feels about it. The way you treat him.
[An awkward pause.]
It felt... right, to tell you, rather than going behind your back about it. I think that's important, too.
[Being open. What a terrifying thought.]
no subject
[ Gojo answers teasingly, then shrugs. Accepting the touch, he curls his fingers around Fel's hand, glad have the comfort and affection. He falls quiet, tired of talking (tired of arguing), and wanting just to be held, with the pleasure of the imprint soothing the edges of his lingering grief and guilt.]