He believed Ashura believed it of him, and that made the possibility he was going to disappoint a cause of concern. Though it certainly always had been one, given he'd been aware of his own failings when it came to relationships and had wanted to do differently - and had, in fact, lead to their engagement, such as it was. But something so deeply ingrained was likely never to leave him. It was a much a part of him as his tattoos. Getting rid of the rubies was meant to help shed him of that, but Thamuris had told him even that wasn't going to last.

"I want to," he replied, voice thin, "I really do." It was the closest he could get to asking for help. Felix knew, if he had any chance at that, that someone would have to stick by him long enough to get that to sink in. And being himself, it wouldn't be easy. Just because Mildmay had no choice didn't mean Ashura had to.