I know. You wanted to be your best... picture like, almost. [ He allows him to shift closer, continuing his soothing strokes down his back, a little playful, as if trying to track the shape of his spine with his fingertips. The obtrusive heat is easing up a bit, and he can rest an elbow against the edge of the tub. ] But if he had known you, maybe he would've stopped it.

[ It is 100% proven that it doesn't work this way, exhibit A being Squalo himself being able to do shit all when Dodger really had his mind set on murdering him. But it's not the only meaning there. He might've left instead, letting Dodger regress to... someone more suitable for the less great things that made him who he was. ]

[ He wonders if he's playing with fire again. Shit, he's missed this. The game on hard mode. ]

That's up to you. I would say it's ultimately a big part of who you are. But if you weren't trying so hard to deny it, maybe it wouldn't have to remind you of itself in such... explosive ways.