invoking | 『 capeandcowl • contact 』

[ Nelson's face goes a bit redder. It isn't really an easy thing to explain, particularly (he imagines) to someone as shy as Gil. ]

N-no. Of course not. [ A beat. ] He isn't as cruel as you think he is.

[ He finds it difficult to believe. ]

I only wanted to make sure.

[ Nelson exhales a little slowly. ]

I tell him when he does something I don't like, Gilbert. I know how to stand up for myself.

[ Usually. ]

I wasn't trying to imply otherwise.

He cared about me.

[ Nelson glances down. ]

He always knew better.

But he left...

[ He trails off, realizing that wasn't the best thing to say. ]

[ He puts his face in his hands. ]

Well he used to care. He wouldn't hur-- he wouldn't l-leave without a reason.

Sorry, I --

Did he even say why? He didn't give you a reason at all?

[ Miserably, Nelson shakes his head. ]

I didn't know he wasn't coming back. B-but he's been angry at me for a while.

For what?

I told him... [ He hesitates, biting his lower lip. ] I told him something unsavory about his future.

[ Oh.

He's been there before. Technically, he still is in a way. Oz doesn't know it was his own father who cast him into the Abyss. ]

Something bad happens.

[ Nelson put his face back in his hands, shoulders shaking slightly. He takes a deep breath, nodding. ]

I just wanted to tell him the truth, b-but... [ With a sigh. ] I know it was a mistake. I probably ruined everything.

I don't doubt it's difficult to swallow the truth, but he shouldn't be angry with you for being honest.

[ It's easy to side with Nelson here. ]

[ Peering over, Nelson frowns anxiously, wondering if he should elaborate to Gil any.

Instead he just says: ]

That's kind of you to say. [ He doesn't like thinking or knowing he's done the wrong thing, even when it's obvious. But the guilt is too overwhelming. ] I don't think he's going to forgive me.

[ He can't help but scoff. As if HJ has the moral high ground here. ]

That man... such an annoying personality.

Don't say that.

[ It's automatic, the urge to defend him. Nelson clears his throat. ]

You don't understand him.

[ He's perplexed by the growing defensiveness in the other man. Nobody can be that blind to such obvious faults in a man in HJ. He's obviously ignoring it. ]

He doesn't respect you! And you don't deserve that.

[ Nelson shakes his head miserably. ]

He isn't a bad person. He's just different than everyone else.

How can you say that? You've seen the way he acts around others.

He can be a little extreme, a-and aggressive, but his heart is in the right place, Gilbert. He inspired me to go into crime-fighting in the first place, he's--

[ He pauses. ]

A real hero.

[ Not in Gil's eyes.

He shakes his head, not realizing it. ]

He's...

[ He almost calls him a monster. Flashing back to that alleyway and the blood all over his gloves sends a chill down his spine. ]

[ Nelson watches him, lips tightening in defensiveness, no matter how misplaced it is. ]

He's what? You don't even know him. And-- [ He sits up a little, voice getting a little louder as his indignation unconsciously grows. ] Most of those lowlifes deserve it!

[ His mouth opens slightly to argue back, but Nelson's last comment is what takes him aback. Instead, he stands there stunned that Nelson would ever say that. It goes against everything he's ever learned or felt about this man.

His stomach drops at the horrible realization he knows what HJ has been doing this whole time.

He can't believe it. He knows and he might be doing it himself. ]

Edited 2013-07-18 07:57 (UTC)

[ The silence hangs for a few moments as Nelson both waits for Gil to say something and tries not to get any more upset; finally he stands, adjusting his tie a little absently but hastily. ]

I should probably go. I didn't come by to fight with you, Gilbert, I-- [ A beat. ] hope that you're feeling a little better now.

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