It’s remarkable how John “cares” for Harrow while not actually caring for her.
He goes out of his way to spend private time with her; and yet hasn’t noticed she doesn’t like tea nor biscuits?
I think it was @mayasaura who said he was patient and courteous when she was stumbling after him on the way to the future Ninth citizens; but he couldn’t be bothered to ask if she wanted clothes and some goddamn paint?
He is sympathetic when she talks about her worries regarding Cytherea’s body: but he never actually does anything to ease those worries. He doesn’t offer to lock the door, to trap the place, to put a goddamn camera in it, he just tells her to stop going in there.
And of course:
He is oh so very torn that Original Gideon keeps trying to murder her on his own goddamn orders.
It’s so pernicious, this ongoing façade of care and affection, this stabbing her on the back while smiling to her face, this constant “I care so much, but I do nothing.”
He cares, of course he cares, I actually believe he does care, but his care stops the minute it is inconvenient to him.