A flash of panic showed in Aleksander's eyes and he involuntarily took a step backwards before he regained control of himself. A relationship seemed daunting - something permanent and irrevocable. He had never tried to name what he had with Apollo - or what he had with Sagramore or his other lovers for that matter. It just was and to look at it any closer was to invite disaster.

"I can't take any credit," he said too quickly. "It is only that he hasn't gotten tired of me yet."