There will be trouble regardless. My rule began with trouble.

[He tries to sound lighthearted, but it all fills him with a hopeless, sinking feeling.

He's always carried the weight of the world's problems on his shoulders, but for the first time he's starting to feel like he can't hold steady under the pressure of it.

Regardless..]

I asked you what you wanted. Not whether anyone had ever asked you what you wanted.