[ His eyebrows raise slightly and he purses his lips and nods as he considers that. ]

But things don't always go according to plan, do they?

[ He shifts again, putting just the slightest pressure on their joined hands, pulling them a little closer together. ]

What if what you want ends up being the same thing they want? Would you deny yourself out of... [ he almost says "spite" but thinks better of it. ] principle?