[ Fabian is about to go into full peacock mode - while still holding onto the baby - to celebrate him having been proven to be Right, and also having been proven to be the correct kind of popular guy compared to those shitty types, but..
.. well, that's the moment that Fabian realizes what's behind Gorgug's sulk. Because he had no idea, actually. Fabian didn't even think anything he said was that weird, and it's only now Gorgug is saying this that he realizes it was even bothering the other guy.
Maybe that's why he looks kind of surprised when he glances over at Gorgug again. ]
Wait, why did-- [ He stops himself mid-sentence, kind of incredulous over this. ] Did you take it that seriously? Your face is normal! It's just that you looked like you were about to cry, and that's not intimidating, just worrisome!
[ That's just it, Gorgug. You inspire worry in other people. At least, you do when you make a face like you're about to cry. ]
[ The sulking, grumpy expression breaks with how flabbergasted Fabian is, and it just turns into...a sad kind of sulk. A downtrodden look where Gorgug even drops his gaze to the ground, admitting: ]
I got insecure. I was trying my best to intimidate you, but-- it was hard. It wasn't a good situation.
[ All of the variables and conditions were wrong, and-- a deep sigh. ]
I've gotta go back to the drawing board.
[ The drawing board...of being a bully to your pal... ]
[ Thankfully Fabian is not taking this as Gorgug wanting to be intimidating in particular to him - or this would get really dumb really quickly again - but more as Gorgug wanting to be intimidating in general. Or maybe just towards his fake father? Fabian couldn't really blame him for the latter, it's important to have a relationship with any father you have where they should know that they have to respect you too..
Maybe it's the latter sentiment that gets him a little bit more serious, even though he's walking right next to a sulking friend. ]
Look, it's not that hard. With your face it's mostly--
[ He's reaching out with his free hand. You know, the one attached to the arm that isn't holding a baby. Fabian reaches up with that hand to try and move Gorgug's eyebrows. Don't mind a friend poking your face. ]
You always slant them in the wrong direction! If you move them that way, it makes you look sad or worried, but it's the other direction you need to seem tough or angry!
Ow. [ It's a tiny 'ow' that Gorgug gives; not because Fabian poked him anywhere actually painful, but because he can feel his hands poking around. Bro, they can't be poking his face while walking! He's stopping for a second to...feel at his own eyebrows.
Hold on, he's got to try a few silent screams here as he does mad faces. Mouth opening wide, brows tilting... Fabian, have you ever seen a guy try to do a mad yell before out in the middle of the street? It's only for a couple of seconds, since even without a mirror (and Gorgug feeling his forehead and his brows the entire time--were they really any different?), Gorgug can tell that his expression wasn't...the best.
It's kinda like the one he's making now. Sans a screaming open mouth. ]
...Porter's never impressed when we're practising intimidation, either...
Okay, we're not going to talk about that guy's opinion.
[ Not even when he agrees with Fabian, and that's saying something. He thinks that he's allowed to give well-meant criticism to his friends, but no one is allowed to bring the people Fabian cares about down, alright.
Which, in turn, only makes him more determined to help Gorgug in this moment. Not doing so feels like letting Porter and Porter's negative opinion about Gorgug win at this point, and Fabian just refuses that! Nuh-uh! ]
I know you can do it, Gorgug. You just have to believe you can do it first. How do you think I would be able to pull off any of the things I did if I didn't believe in myself?
[ Granted, if that belief leads you to get flattened by the Hangvan driving over you, maybe that's not the sort of belief you should be subscribing to, Gorgug. Maybe don't go all the way up to Fabian levels of it. ]
[ Fabian is now becoming Gorgug's Fig.... a champion against Porter and his teaching style (when it comes to Gorgug).
But is he supposed to be making a face right about now? He might be getting confused, somehow, by Fabian's confident energy and his determined words. Is the problem that Gorgug doesn't believe in himself? Or that Fabian doesn't think he believes in himself? ]
I believe in myself.
[ Said, in the most simple, basic, flat way... It's not that Gorgug doesn't believe himself and is lying, but-- heyyy, he believes in himself. :( ]
Do you want me to start making faces right here? Now?
[ He's quiet for a second, like he's thinking about that question. A clearly very serious question. Which clearly requires a very, very serious answer. ]
What, do you otherwise want to do it back at my place?
[ Does he? Isn't there better things they could be doing?
...except when Gorgug thinks about, there isn't actually anything else for him to do. He's just playing families! And he doesn't particularly want to rush home for anything... ]
Well... if you wanna hang out. [ At least then, it's two pals doing more than just helping one to make an intimidating face (in theory). ] Do you think I need to practice being intimidating while I'm here...?
[ That's an easy decision to make, especially with how much this place has been reminding Fabian of his situation back home, and how lonely that made him feel.. It's a win-win situation, since going back home with just his baby doesn't feel great after all this emotional talk.
Even if it's to help Gorgug practice not making scared or weird faces while he's trying to be scary.
Fabian is at least starting to walk again, heading back towards his car. ]
And why shouldn't you? There's been plenty of danger before on previous missions. If this one ends up getting weirder, or your fake father keeps acting like that, you might be able to use it! You have to show people they can't mess with you, Gorgug!
Okay. [ Listen to him, trying to sound sure about this. He's even taking in a breath, letting it out sharply. ] No one can fuck with me. They fuck with me, I'll fuck their knees.
[ Please don't swear in front of the baby, Gorgug!!! But his confidence is coming back. What if his dad does end up sucking. He'll need to show him he's no one's small guy. He's the big guy in town. The biggest! ]
I'll polish my axe in the living room. I'll show everyone they can't mess with me.
[ He just has to remember to do that thing he usually does in his bedroom or outside. But mostly in his room. ]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
.. well, that's the moment that Fabian realizes what's behind Gorgug's sulk. Because he had no idea, actually. Fabian didn't even think anything he said was that weird, and it's only now Gorgug is saying this that he realizes it was even bothering the other guy.
Maybe that's why he looks kind of surprised when he glances over at Gorgug again. ]
Wait, why did-- [ He stops himself mid-sentence, kind of incredulous over this. ] Did you take it that seriously? Your face is normal! It's just that you looked like you were about to cry, and that's not intimidating, just worrisome!
[ That's just it, Gorgug. You inspire worry in other people. At least, you do when you make a face like you're about to cry. ]
no subject
I got insecure. I was trying my best to intimidate you, but-- it was hard. It wasn't a good situation.
[ All of the variables and conditions were wrong, and-- a deep sigh. ]
I've gotta go back to the drawing board.
[ The drawing board...of being a bully to your pal... ]
no subject
Maybe it's the latter sentiment that gets him a little bit more serious, even though he's walking right next to a sulking friend. ]
Look, it's not that hard. With your face it's mostly--
[ He's reaching out with his free hand. You know, the one attached to the arm that isn't holding a baby. Fabian reaches up with that hand to try and move Gorgug's eyebrows. Don't mind a friend poking your face. ]
You always slant them in the wrong direction! If you move them that way, it makes you look sad or worried, but it's the other direction you need to seem tough or angry!
no subject
Hold on, he's got to try a few silent screams here as he does mad faces. Mouth opening wide, brows tilting... Fabian, have you ever seen a guy try to do a mad yell before out in the middle of the street? It's only for a couple of seconds, since even without a mirror (and Gorgug feeling his forehead and his brows the entire time--were they really any different?), Gorgug can tell that his expression wasn't...the best.
It's kinda like the one he's making now. Sans a screaming open mouth. ]
...Porter's never impressed when we're practising intimidation, either...
[ By him, that is. ]
He says I lack aura.
no subject
[ Not even when he agrees with Fabian, and that's saying something. He thinks that he's allowed to give well-meant criticism to his friends, but no one is allowed to bring the people Fabian cares about down, alright.
Which, in turn, only makes him more determined to help Gorgug in this moment. Not doing so feels like letting Porter and Porter's negative opinion about Gorgug win at this point, and Fabian just refuses that! Nuh-uh! ]
I know you can do it, Gorgug. You just have to believe you can do it first. How do you think I would be able to pull off any of the things I did if I didn't believe in myself?
[ Granted, if that belief leads you to get flattened by the Hangvan driving over you, maybe that's not the sort of belief you should be subscribing to, Gorgug. Maybe don't go all the way up to Fabian levels of it. ]
no subject
But is he supposed to be making a face right about now? He might be getting confused, somehow, by Fabian's confident energy and his determined words. Is the problem that Gorgug doesn't believe in himself? Or that Fabian doesn't think he believes in himself? ]
I believe in myself.
[ Said, in the most simple, basic, flat way... It's not that Gorgug doesn't believe himself and is lying, but-- heyyy, he believes in himself. :( ]
Do you want me to start making faces right here? Now?
[ In the hospital car park, bro? ]
no subject
[ He's quiet for a second, like he's thinking about that question. A clearly very serious question. Which clearly requires a very, very serious answer. ]
What, do you otherwise want to do it back at my place?
[ VERY serious!! ]
no subject
...except when Gorgug thinks about, there isn't actually anything else for him to do. He's just playing families! And he doesn't particularly want to rush home for anything... ]
Well... if you wanna hang out. [ At least then, it's two pals doing more than just helping one to make an intimidating face (in theory). ] Do you think I need to practice being intimidating while I'm here...?
no subject
[ That's an easy decision to make, especially with how much this place has been reminding Fabian of his situation back home, and how lonely that made him feel.. It's a win-win situation, since going back home with just his baby doesn't feel great after all this emotional talk.
Even if it's to help Gorgug practice not making scared or weird faces while he's trying to be scary.
Fabian is at least starting to walk again, heading back towards his car. ]
And why shouldn't you? There's been plenty of danger before on previous missions. If this one ends up getting weirder, or your fake father keeps acting like that, you might be able to use it! You have to show people they can't mess with you, Gorgug!
no subject
[ Please don't swear in front of the baby, Gorgug!!! But his confidence is coming back. What if his dad does end up sucking. He'll need to show him he's no one's small guy. He's the big guy in town. The biggest! ]
I'll polish my axe in the living room. I'll show everyone they can't mess with me.
[ He just has to remember to do that thing he usually does in his bedroom or outside. But mostly in his room. ]