This isn't the first time it occurs to Armand that in spite of his inability to read Daniel's mind, he is certain that he will never be lied to. Not to flatter or to deceive or any number of things that petty insecurity may otherwise encourage. He has thought it before, and believed it already, or else there would have been very little cuddling, held hands, even arguments.

There would likely be no The Vampire Daniel to begin with, but he needn't venture all that far back. Reflects that Daniel likely does not have this same reassurance, but then, he has never possessed the ability to read his mind to miss it. And has never really needed it.

"Yes," Armand says. It was really good. It is a pretty big change. "I hadn't intended it." He shifts so that they can speak a little easier, less cross-eyed blurriness, and he can also bring around a clean hand that can do its share of petting, laying on the cushion beside Daniel's head, toying with grey-white curls behind his ear. "There's been very little intentionality throughout."

Obviously. But this, too, is different. Perhaps he should apologise for the way that if Daniel is caught in some labyrinthine scheme after all, it's currently under construction, building itself from the centre as they explore it.