When Damen spoke, his voice was closer, and Laurent held himself very still. They did work well together. Against all reason and odds, they always had, but that did not mean the course had been smooth. 'Eventually,' he said. 'The path was not easy. I am not easy.'

He turned to find Damen standing near the entrance to the kitchen. He was not Laurent's. There was so much he didn't know, so many things that Laurent held little desire to tell him when the truth was not forced, even as he knew that those truths had strengthened their bond. His Damen knew every part of him. This one had only begun. And still.

'You should know that, if you are ever inclined to - ' Laurent paused, his pale eyes for a moment widening as he struggled for the word. 'Deepen our friendship.'