"You'll have to tell me more about that," Balthier says. He has a hazy idea from summer barbecues here and his own experience at events at home, but he knows they won't be quite what David's talking about.

He sees David perk up at the food and grins, pleased with himself. Even moreso at the surprised reaction. "I told you I passed as a pastry chef for a little while, and I work on ships. Cakes are somewhere in the middle."

And he kisses that incredulous face, right on the corner of his open mouth. "Mmm, it's endearing when you're surprised."