No regrets at all that it was Armand. Sure there was horror, but it's horror that won him something: the same line that connects him to his maker separates them. And there gets to be nothing that separates him from Louis. They can laugh in each other's heads, chat at all hours anywhere in the world, no phones needed. They can feel like this, pinwheels of emotion and sensation and happy reflections.

'I want you,' he tells him, lets him feel how much. How much, despite how many times already. Edges are starting to fray, concentration is starting to go glassy, but Louis said until you can't. Sunlight or unconsciousness. Daniel will indulge until he overdoses.

Out loud this time: "Watching you, feeling you come like this, is so good. I thought I'd never see you that unwound. I'll never get sick of it. I'll never get sick of being the one to do it. Come on, one more time. Just like this."