[The Circle still has such a different connotation to Myr that it takes him a moment to catch on to what L's saying he's prepared to do. Then the fur on the Faun's neck and shoulders bristles, his tail half-flagging with alarm.]

Sweet Andraste singing, Linden! I'm not here to annul our Bond.

[If he didn't understand exactly how keenly his Bonded felt the call of the Void he'd be insulted by the implication he took his vows so lightly. As it is it still hurts, the way it had when Rich accused him of wanting to take his fists to the dragon next. (Perhaps, in this case, because he isn't so perfect he hadn't briefly entertained the disloyal idea--and promptly been disgusted at himself.)

He gives a sharp shake of his head to dislodge the thought and takes another cautious step toward his Witch. This puts them in touching distance, now; here he could just reach out and lay a hand on L and take the comfort from that he sorely wants. That they both (surely) sorely need.]

I vowed to walk this path with you to its end, [and so long as you would have me, a traitor voice reminds him, and maybe it's not that L truly expects Myr to want this as he's decided himself that their association's run its course and they were better quit of it.

Well, fuck that! a small and defiant part of Myr says; and the rest of him stills at the thought because wasn't that exactly the level of selfish, grasping possession Mello regarded his mentor with?

No. No, don't entertain that doubt. Myr had never asked for L to fit any mold to deserve his loyalty and affection. Not that way.

But he'd also never meant their Bond as a trap or suicide pact, either. And if L thought it so...]

That hasn't changed. Whatever else might between us, amatus, that hasn't changed. Nor do I, [breath,] love you any less.