Laurent's jaw tensed at the question, eyes dropping and then flicking up to Damen's face, letting him see the nervous tension that he felt at that question rather than the casual insouciance he usually preferred as a defense.

"Hope is a useless sentiment," he said instead, fingers curling tentatively around the bend of Damen's neck and shoulder. His grip was a little too tight. "Hope is for those who have no power to take action to achieve their goals."

Laurent didn't want to get into a philosophical argument, although he was far too mule-headed and opinionated to back away from one. He wanted to be distracted.