Even an ocean away, Daniel has some sense of Daniel's reaction. What his face looks like flustered.

Louis is pleased to have flustered him. Pleased too with what follows after, Daniel moving past Yeah, well into something fonder.

Their patchwork history, so recently pieced back into a whole. Louis bearing the agony, heaving himself out of the coffin Armand had lowered him into, skin flaking, body screaming in pain as he had lurched into the doorway and beyond.

So did I.

Maybe like isn't the right word. But it's right for parts. For the ease of their conversation. For their rapport, a little worse for wear but intact.

I would like it if we were to do it again, with some regularity.