[The door slamming shut gets him to wince again, his fingers clenching; Gregor has to suppress the urge to shake them out like they're smarting, though of course it isn't physical. But really, what else had he been expecting... He's glad he caught onto it that quickly, at least. Not nearly as tough as he and Miles are starting to find it, when all of their instincts want it open.
In the absence of mental stimulus, he opens his eyes again. Seeing him huddled against the chair panting sends another course of sadness washing through him, Gregor unable to help himself. But when the door eases open just a crack as if to peek in, there's something else there tempering it, too. Real satisfaction that he's pulled this off, that he's managed to get him under his wing, because he does want him, for a thousand complicated reasons that ultimately boil down to just wanting him close and safe and under his mantle.
Gregor loves nothing more than getting to use being Emperor for something good. He can use this for more than just being a puppet, and it is viciously vindicating. So he waits patiently for... Mark? to find some amount of stability. He of anyone understands the need to reassure yourself that affection is not empty flattery.]
no subject
In the absence of mental stimulus, he opens his eyes again. Seeing him huddled against the chair panting sends another course of sadness washing through him, Gregor unable to help himself. But when the door eases open just a crack as if to peek in, there's something else there tempering it, too. Real satisfaction that he's pulled this off, that he's managed to get him under his wing, because he does want him, for a thousand complicated reasons that ultimately boil down to just wanting him close and safe and under his mantle.
Gregor loves nothing more than getting to use being Emperor for something good. He can use this for more than just being a puppet, and it is viciously vindicating. So he waits patiently for... Mark? to find some amount of stability. He of anyone understands the need to reassure yourself that affection is not empty flattery.]