Chapter Text
These men can be quite stubborn, and yes, that is including Tartaglia given that he is so determined to reach his goals. Each of these men have great resolve. As rigid as rock, as solid as stone—they are completely convinced that they are good for you. They are far too oblivious to make the connection between wrong and their actions. They see themselves as soldiers and caretakers that will hunt down your enemies and bring back a meal to cook for you for dinner that same night. Protectors and nothing beneath that.
So, when accused of harbouring a sinister obsession that hurts rather than loves, that restricts rather than frees you from the evils of this world as they think they do, they are overcome with not just anger and sadness but betrayal as well, as if a part of their hearts have been ripped out and thrown to the ground like worthless waste. If anything, an accusation would make them worse. Their minds replay every moment, from when you met to the present day, about what they could have done wrong, and in their view, they cannot find anything wrong. You see, their minds have been rewired by obsession; wrong becomes right. And so, that feeling of betrayal grows. It is hot and it festers where the scabs over the ripped-out chunks of their hearts lie. They will never understand your perspective because to them, there is only one reality and it is theirs.