Hearing this offer is a little like flicking a spark onto dry kindling. Louis' whole body flushes hot, breath catching in his throat.

If he wants to, Daniel says. He wants. He wants so much, so deeply. Has this soft-edged memory in his mind that is porous and detached. Daniel is touching him, has kissed his face, says this thing while his eyes shift green and Louis is overwhelmed by all of it in combination.

"I want to kiss you," Louis whispers, despairing. "I want to taste you again."

Has the presence of mind to wonder if Daniel tastes different. Would that shatter Louis in some way, to drink from him and taste traces of Armand?

"I don't want this to be a dream anymore."

This, the way they want each other. The way Louis has kept so many of his desires this century. Hidden, compressed.