julianxreese:
Julian always thought his dynamics with Casey were steeped by complication. He cared to believe they were close at one point in their younger years, especially each developing a deep personal connection with the forgotten Urie, at least they shared one similarity once upon a time. As his relationship with Morri came to light, he could sense this invisible wedge driven between both brothers and Julian knew it was on his end. Casey was temporarily shoved to the wayside while he dove head first distracting himself from losing the girl he loved with his shrinking friend group. By the time Judas rolled through St. Cascadia like an oncoming storm, he lost what little chance he possessed to mend any rooted resentment Casey must have felt. Or maybe his brother didn’t truly care as much as he thought. Julian listened to the other man’s spiel politely, the last few year’s events running through his mind and giving him a second to consider an outsider’s viewpoint. “I know I’ve become one of his harsher critics since the moment I knew he and my brother were together. They say not to judge a book by its cover and I only ever saw his career path as a result, a fair assumption everyone was making. This city…it forces out the worst in us, Benji, you do what it takes to survive. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve learned that lesson in my faction. And with Judas spreading kindnesses I never see for myself,” Julian casually waved a hand and slowly shook his head, “Nothing was shattering my resolve. I couldn’t allow my baby brother make the same mistakes I did. In the process, I branded myself a hypocrite.” A shameful confession for a particularly stubborn Reese, “When Judas offers you a hand of friendship, you’d be an idiot to refuse. He would even bargain for my freedom if I asked him to.” Julian spoke thoughtfully. “I cannot deny you provide a strong case. And yes, it did help, thank you.”
Benji nodded along with Julian’s words, knowing that the man wasn’t the only one who looked at someone based on the outside instead of looking inward first. He and Georgie were both victims of that – her thinking that he was nothing but a spineless Ainsworth goon– and she a brash assassin that would never change her views about Davenport, let alone him, yet there they were after they came to an understanding of each other; best friends and she his savior. “When family gets involved, rational seems to go out the window. It doesn’t help with the different factions and leaders willing to kill one another that forces the followers to look at each other harshly– I believe you were always going to look at Judas like that... the city gives everyone that thought.” Benji was reminded of the single kindness that Georgiana first gave him with her safe-house when he was cast out of Davenport so that he could survive on his own, and then when she came back again offering him a place at Judas’ side. He thought he’d be used again, only to be tossed out when there was no use of him left... but there he was still in the mansion. Operating on his own schedule, getting funding and allowance for doing whatever he wanted, with some off chances that Judas or any of the other assassins may need something for a mission. It was... a different life than the one he grew up with. “True friendship in his circle is hard to come by and I know for sure he would fight for you as much as he would fight for Casey’s freedom,” Benji answered sincerely before giving a small smile, “I’m glad it helped even a little.”