[Oh. When, Thancred can't help but wonder, was the last time he'd been held onto like this? Has he ever?]

I would make a terrible healer. With no ability to use aether? I'd be worse than useless.

[Carefully, with slow movements, he reaches one of his hands up and covers over Ryn's where it's still twisted into his shirt.]

Maybe it should have been you. He was more noble than you. Stronger than you. More of an asset than you. Any medic doing triage would have saved him at the expense of you. A just world would've valued him, and relinquished you.

[His hand tightens, just slightly.]

But none of that matters. He wanted you to live; isn't that enough?