This Is Part Of Why They Kinda Grow Apart For A Bit Imo - Tumblr Posts
"juliannnnnn. the savior complex he's making me develop is insane" is something close to what I think garak is thinking to himself as he watches Julian get increasingly depressed whenever he has the free space is his brain, even as he tells him to become more cynical for the sake of survival
that's just what julian does to people. one look at his sad face and big wet eyes and I'm already on my knees swearing fealty like a knight to his beloved lady. ready to fight evil in his name. anything for my princess etc.
on a more serious note I find it fascinating how the very thing (one of them at least) that attracts garak to julian–his goodness and idealism–is the thing that he considers to be one of the greatest weaknesses one can have. and admiting that he likes these parts of julian is also a weakness. because of course it is. so, yeah, it very much makes sense that in their conversations he'd chide julian for being naive but in the privacy of his mind he sees julian as like. well. like a Lady or a delicate flower–beautiful *because* it is weak. and for the reason all the more worthy of protection. not to imply that he doesn't respect him or see his strengths but I think it's definitely one of the aspects of their relationship