[for Gepard to say it so straightforwardly, to put it out into the world for Dohalim to make a decision on only makes him want to retreat even more. the thought of pulling another captain away from the guard, to detain a friend-- a lover of his because of an accusation... this is Gepard's livelihood they're talking about and for him to say all of that without pause...]

I can't let the guards lose another captain, and I certainly can't have you detained.

[it's such precarious position to be in, for the both of them, and it's something Dohalim doesn't want to face. what if he makes the wrong decision? what if Gepard ends up falsely prosecuted? or what if he was blinded by his attachment to him and the worst case scenario comes to light? he's so unsure of what to do and what to say, but it's also like he can't stay up on the mountainside stuck in this loop of despair.

taking several deep breaths, he lifts his head back up, hand on his chest dropping to his lap. the absolute fear on his face is now gone, replaced by a seemingly calm, if not blank look now, one of his many masks he'd learn to throw on to hide his true feelings. he's a lord, after all. even if it's Gepard, it's still unbecoming to show such raw emotion in front of his people]

However, I suppose you're right. I cannot let my own emotions cloud my judgement.