[The tone of that honorific is probably the only thing that keeps Regis from stepping away and ending this right now for both their sakes. It wouldn't be hard. If he ordered Nyx home, as rebellious as the man is, he would go, but what kind of repayment would that be for the honesty he's just been shown, misdirected as it may be?

For far too short a moment, Regis lets himself be weak. His eyes close and he allows himself to feel the comforting weight of the hand against his cheek. He then reaches up and gently pulls that hand away with his free one, locking away the spark of loneliness that suddenly pains his heart.]

Don't do this to yourself, Nyx. Life is too short and this world has already taken too much from you.

[For just a instant he brushes the man's rough fingers against his lips and then lets his hand drop.]

Seek your happiness with one who doesn't linger in life like a ghost.