You had your own agenda, just as I had mine, [Gene says, the bitterness returning to his voice, and stops. When he speaks again, he sounds...sad.] I had already gone too far. You were Iron Man, I had your father...I didn't see another way. Might as well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb, [he says, bitterness creeping in again - but this time, it's directed at himself.]
I couldn't figure out how to save the situation. And I didn't want to. Not after...not after finding out that you were my enemy. I guess I wanted you to hurt like I did. But it didn't help. It made things worse. [Like I always do.
He swallows hard again. He can't stop the words, he's held them in too long.] You know I nearly came crawling back? I'd forsaken the rings. I threw them away. But then they activated this map...and it was easier to go after them than to go after you. You wouldn't have forgiven me. There wasn't a point. I don't know. Maybe I thought that once I had them all, I could fix what I'd broken.
he's never been taught how to make good choices
I couldn't figure out how to save the situation. And I didn't want to. Not after...not after finding out that you were my enemy. I guess I wanted you to hurt like I did. But it didn't help. It made things worse. [Like I always do.
He swallows hard again. He can't stop the words, he's held them in too long.] You know I nearly came crawling back? I'd forsaken the rings. I threw them away. But then they activated this map...and it was easier to go after them than to go after you. You wouldn't have forgiven me. There wasn't a point. I don't know. Maybe I thought that once I had them all, I could fix what I'd broken.
[He laughs without humor.] What an idiot I am!