Laurent returned halfway, hesitant and shy but yearning to be able to trust. Surely someone like Gansey, someone so gentle and beautiful, would not hurt him.

Blue eyes flicked over Gansey's face, trying to make sense of him.

Gansey wanted him to stay. Laurent didn't want to be parted from him.

Sitting down on one of the soft couches, Laurent kept his eyes on Gansey, wary and curious. Gansey wanted to understand and care.

"You can tell me," Laurent said, curious now about Gansey's suffering and wanting to try to offer a sympathetic ear, even though he wasn't sure how to go about that. "I'll try to understand."