His scowl only darkened a little when his brother joined him. He took several drawn out puffs in slow succession, quiet for several minutes as if deep in thought. "I know what I want and I am working my ass off to achieve it, but because it's not what all of you think I should do, doesn't mean any of you have the say to tell me what I have to do." He didn't yell it like he would have before he found someone who brought out the best in him, someone who made him feel like he had a backbone. "I thought out of everyone, at least you would get it and maybe be happy for me that I have a direction and I am not floundering. But I shouldn't give two shits about getting approval anymore. It wouldn't happen even if I tried my damndest to get it."

He tapped the pipe to loosen the contents a little and then took another puff. "The reality of it all, Zecheriah, is I'm a putz to you all, mother and father included. I know when my own mother doesn't want me around. That is the biggest reason I chose this place. I guess we are both of like mind on this one to pick the same place without knowing it." He gave a shrug.

Then he started to talk slightly firmer, "I love her. I may be a putz to you all, but I have never loved another human being the way that I love her. I love the life we created together, even as scary as it is... And I refuse to feel guilt for it. I know now because of her that I live, doesn't that count for something at all? Is that not a reason to be joyous?"