[ Gen freezes at that, gaze hardening. His grip loosens just a touch from around Voryn’s wrists. And though he doesn’t understand on a rational or conscious level why that question — did your world abandon you? — makes his blood run colder for a moment, his gut instinct answers for him instead. His answer is spat out, guttural and hoarse, before he can think to stop himself: ]
How can you be abandoned by something that never accepted you in the first place?
[ (Because he never had, not really. He’d pretended. But given what he is, he knows he never stood a chance — he would have always been something warped, barely tolerated.)
— that was far more vulnerability than he’d allow himself to show to a stranger, though, and his temper flares hot once he realized what he’s said. That grip around Voryn’s arms doubles down tighter, nails digging into his skin, and Gen surges closer. So close Voryn must be able to feel the way Gen’s chest swells with each breath. ]
And who said I wanted anything from your side, anyway? Support? Don’t make me laugh. [ His lip curls with scorn with that word, canine ears flicking when he cants his head. ] The only thing I want from you now is going to help you, too. Get that Zenith out if your system. Aren’t I generous.
[ Said at a humorless deadpan. Something about dealing with Voryn makes his stomach curl with unease; he wants this transaction over as quickly as possible. Because looking at the expression on Voryn’s face gives him the discomforting sensation that he’s more likely to be put on the back foot the longer this conversation goes. ]
no subject
How can you be abandoned by something that never accepted you in the first place?
[ (Because he never had, not really. He’d pretended. But given what he is, he knows he never stood a chance — he would have always been something warped, barely tolerated.)
— that was far more vulnerability than he’d allow himself to show to a stranger, though, and his temper flares hot once he realized what he’s said. That grip around Voryn’s arms doubles down tighter, nails digging into his skin, and Gen surges closer. So close Voryn must be able to feel the way Gen’s chest swells with each breath. ]
And who said I wanted anything from your side, anyway? Support? Don’t make me laugh. [ His lip curls with scorn with that word, canine ears flicking when he cants his head. ] The only thing I want from you now is going to help you, too. Get that Zenith out if your system. Aren’t I generous.
[ Said at a humorless deadpan. Something about dealing with Voryn makes his stomach curl with unease; he wants this transaction over as quickly as possible. Because looking at the expression on Voryn’s face gives him the discomforting sensation that he’s more likely to be put on the back foot the longer this conversation goes. ]
So hand it over. Now.