People very often don't have enough sense to not be dicks. [ Just kind of flatly. ] Moral of the history of the entire human species.

Illyan is native, he was born here. I'm sure you can put together that he hasn't exactly had it easy -- he's been living with this shit his entire life. [ And even before, in some ways,from what Wash understands, from a few things Miles has said. ] This is a risk to him, and our sense of moral superiority doesn't exactly rank over that.

[ He sighs, there, relenting, shoulders sagging again, his tone softening. He understands, Tucker, he really does, but he needs to press the point about how keeping this secret is fucking important. You don't need to tell him about how fucked up Barrayar is. He knows. Miles knows. Everyone on this damn planet has to know, one way or another. ]

I don't like it any more than you do, but whether or not we like it doesn't change what it is. I'm not saying you have to back down, that you can't ever stand up for what you think and believe, but you have to pick your battles, Tucker, and pick them wisely. And this? [ He shakes his head. ] This we have to let lie.