A smile for the thought of this nameless, faceless spy courting Daniel. A flicker of jealousy that Louis knows he is not entitled to but feels anyway, deep in his body, hooking into the mournful wound there. Still raw, the circumstances of Daniel's turning. They don't speak of it, but that doesn't mean Louis doesn't feel it.

"You should," is quiet encouragement, Louis watching the reordering of documents. "I'd been interested in your upcoming projects."

Of course Louis was aware. He'd observed the press releases, the curated website. Everything is different now, but his enthusiasm remains.

"How long can you stay now?" is followed a little hastily by: "I don't expect you to put aside your work for my soul searching."

Which is a fucked descriptor, something Louis only catches after the fact but can't retract.

He wants Daniel to stay. He doesn't want to infringe on Daniel's pursuits. It's difficult to balance.