'You always say that,' is a friendly accusation. Louis can't always be thinking of him just before whenever it is that Daniel fumbles into his head, it's a line, but Daniel likes hearing it anyway. 'And you can't fuck up anything for me.'

Louis, forever an exception. Somebody who's allowed to interrupt him and be welcome, somebody who people basically go to war for, somebody Daniel's going to let himself get emotionally pulverized for. It's fine. This feeling right now, that invitation to get closer, the psychic feeling like tangling hands together, is worth it.

'Houston. It sucks. This whole state sucks. And not even for political reasons, it's the first time I've missed being able to eat food.'

Texas barbecue. Struggle.

'What are you doing, are you still up to your elbows in spinal fluid from the fights you think nobody knows you're getting into?'