A part of him had been worried that Armand would not react well to his threat to stop following him. A large part. But practically, Daniel can't spend all his time chasing after Armand, romantic as that sounds. What would they call it, in a book about their lives? A chapter entitled The Chase? Got a ring to it, but Daniel's not a child anymore. He has a career, and he has the last few years of his public life to live.

And besides. He's found Armand. Multiple times. As far as Daniel's concerned, he's won.

Yet—

Still, the worry. Soothed by his maker's presence. There's something smug about Daniel again, like Armand showing up here is as good as Daniel finding him in the first place. Maybe it is.

"I'm surprised," he admits. "But I like it. If nobody else does, that's on you. I'm just along for the ride."

Daniel keeps the book, and heads to the front. A reading, then some questions posed by a bookshop employee enjoying an evening playing moderator, then, once more: signing.