How could it ever matter, that Louis had spent those days missing him? Would it ever matter that he had spent that time reaching out? Could it matter that Louis stubbornly clawed his way back into Daniel's space after all that silence, that he's here now?

He wasn't, when it counted.

Louis says it anyway. He had missed Daniel. All things are complicated and painful, but in the midst of it all, there is such relief to be each others company. Daniel looks away from him and Louis feels affection twisting in his chest.

Doesn't say, I wish you'd picked up.

Because he does, yes, but it wouldn't help Daniel to hear it. Louis would have come, would have helped. Maybe offered something more than the Talamasca had, than Armand did.

Doesn't matter.

"I did. Just for a few days," Louis confirms. Explains, "Called you on the way back."

That first call. The confusion at the absence of answer. Reaching out and finding empty space.

A similar experience trying to call Lestat, who must have almost immediately abandoned the phone Louis purchased for him. Abandoned, broke. Louis isn't certain. Has to make his peace with it.

"You shouldn't be worrying about me," Louis reminds. "I ain't the one with so much on my plate."

Just a moderate amount, suddenly.