As Garrot is a man of ego, the idea of him failing as the leader never really dawned on him. It gets a tiny little gasp, and it actually catches him off-guard as his friend keeps going, preaching of togetherness and unity and cooperation and all that. Stuff that, were he of a different, less triggered and burnt out mind, he'd have been spouting days ago. It was where his outlook had been... until he'd learned he was siding with his father's killer for decades.

"I..." That's all so much to articulate, especially when your face is pressed into a new and very nice coat and you're trying not to just start sobbing. So he doesn't even try, because he knows the waterworks won't stop if he does. "If anyone..." There's a composure in his voice, as if somewhere deep down, Gyre helped him find his conviction without wielding it like a weapon. So he starts to... let go a bit.

"If anyone's scared or lost or stuck, I'll... I'll decide for them if they want." If they want. Sounds like someone had to just point out how stupid he was being. "As long as they're with us and not..." The implication there being that he won't give any support or sympathy to anyone who throws their lot in with the Protector.

But he can't say it. Not out loud. Not yet.