Balthier would encourage him to be indulgent if he knew that line of thinking. But David accepts so much from him, and gives it right back. What they have is good, and as much as he always wants to see his love more, he also doesn't really ever want that desire to fade.

And David's breathlessness still leaves him as content and giddy as the first few times. "I know," he says. And he does, believes David entirely. "I still like to hear you say it, though."