He wasn't sure how it would be, but
when Laurent saw who was beside him,
he smiled, the expression a
little shy but completely genuine.
Damen, who hadn't been expecting it,
felt the single painful beat of his heart.
He'd never thought Laurent could look
like that at anyone.

What are you doing?" Damen's breath
was shaky.

"What am I doing? You are not very
observant."

"You're not yourself," said Damen. "And
even if you were, you don't do anything
without a dozen motives."

Laurent went very still, the soft words
half bitter. "Don't I? I must want
something.

To get what you want, you have to know exactly how much you are willing to give up.

Stop enjoying yourself," Damen murmured. "We're going to be killed, any minute."
"Giant animal," said Laurent.
"Stop it.

I lack," said Laurent, "the easy mannerisms that are usually shared with," you could see him pushing the words out, "a lover."
"You lack the easy mannerisms that are usually shared with anyone," said Damen.

I think if I gave you my heart, you would treat it tenderly.