[A soft, surprised laugh breaks through Dorian's irritation. Was that a compliment? It was optimistic to the point of delusion, but it did seem like an expression of appreciation for what he's doing. That makes this a little more bearable, face-touching notwithstanding.]
Unlikely. I was a lost cause a long time ago, my friend. [But he sees Ethan's point. This caretaking? He never does this. He is the very definition of a fair-weather friend. He has never had an attachment he couldn't cut loose when it no longer served him, and this, at this moment, does not serve him. But he doesn't want Ethan to hurt, or to hate himself like this.]
But perhaps, [he muses quietly.] Perhaps when we were young.
no subject
Unlikely. I was a lost cause a long time ago, my friend. [But he sees Ethan's point. This caretaking? He never does this. He is the very definition of a fair-weather friend. He has never had an attachment he couldn't cut loose when it no longer served him, and this, at this moment, does not serve him. But he doesn't want Ethan to hurt, or to hate himself like this.]
But perhaps, [he muses quietly.] Perhaps when we were young.