[It's not much of a comfort, even if it's vaguely meant as one. Because he wishes she had. He sniffs and rubs his face, tired despite the sleep, and turns fully to Ardyn.

It must sound like nothing to him, someone who's lived so long and lost so much. The whole story is long and convoluted and would probably sound like bullshit anyway. He's allowed to be upset that someone he loved fucked off in front of him, damn it.

But he's a friend, and a shield, and it's time to fucking hunker down and do his own job.]

You could probably give her a run for the stubbornness money, but yeah, she'd still beat you out in the end.

How fucked up is your life story now? [No point in sugar coating it; they both know.]