It was that irresponsibility, the heedless pursuit of desire, which Pavi had been referring to - but he simply nodded. He supposed the good doctor would say that he himself was there for a similar reason, even if that had manifested itself in actions that were considered far worse.

The Marquis had warned him against allowing his darker desires to rule him. He wanted to heed that advice, but then he thought of the Marquis' grey body on the Infirmary bed and it became impossible. His thoughts felt blurred.

"Mm." He placed his other hand atop the Marquis', running his fingertips over the man's fingers and the back of his hand, and just let the silence run for a brief while.

"How do you...feel?"