[ ah.

there's been things here that have frustrated yves, amidst all the murder, but this earns a special spot among them. yves' own society doesn't prize love, considering how quickly the emotion is discarded upon becoming a reliver. but to outright disallow it? to punish it? to know that anders himself experienced such happiness only for it to disappear right from his fingers—

his brow furrows and he turns to face anders directly. he continues to hold onto his hand, but his other one finds his friend's shoulder ]

Someone else can choose you, even if you choose the mages. [ because he couldn't dream of asking anders not to, knowing what a difficult fight that is ] Someone can choose the mages with you, if they truly love you.

I won't say your life's work isn't important. Of course it is.

But to love and be loved is the exact type of spiteful act that should still be welcomed, especially if cruel people tell you otherwise.

You are not any less deserving of love just because you have more than one passion in your heart, my friend.