[ This is, perhaps, one of the more difficult questions he's been asked, and thankfully, it's not one he's had to answer too often. Nevertheless, it gives him no relief from his already stressed manner, just the weight of such topics pressing down unpleasantly against his typically steady demeanor. ]

I have... considered it. Not only once, for that matter.

[ A frown settles on his face and he looks at the rim of the glass and the distortion through its slick surface. Even now, he not so distantly feels the pang of guilt for not being quite brave enough to make that decision. ]

There was- [ He hesitates. The taste of the alcohol on his lips says his tongue might already be loosened, but sharing his vulnerability has never come easy. ] There is a woman. But we were both very young at the time. I'm not sure if I was wise to know better, or foolish not to take a chance.

[ He had once called it an undercurrent of remorse. Little has changed since then. ]

It led me here, eventually. I cannot deny that I've gained much since then. Nor can I deny the thought of leaving has crossed my mind on an increasingly frequent basis since meeting you and yours.