"Thanks," and another quick kiss before he continues. "I love you -- so incredibly much, Étienne. That's not the sappy part, I say that a lot -- but I think -- I don't want to say 'oh, it's fate that we're together, blablabla', mostly because the Moirai aren't here so I don't think fate has anything to do with this place but -- well, I do think there's something to be said for the fact that I show up here and am immediately greeted by my favorite character from one of my favorite musicals, who's silly, and beautiful, and so kind, and enjoys wine, and drinks almost-vinegar because it's funny. And then you're the one who ends up knowing what I'm from as well. There's at least a couple of other people I can think of who might have been able to figure it out and tell me, but you're the one who did."

He takes a break mid-monologue to run his fingers through Étienne's hair. "You could've been doing anything yesterday, but you made a point to ask him about my mother. It really, really means a lot to me. You mean a lot to me. Everyone should know how much you mean to me. How special you are."