Gansey remained still, curling his fingers into his palms when the Phantom broke away. Never before had he seen such fear in someone's eyes when he went to touch them. What kind of life had he known? What had this man been through?

Man. Because he was a man. Even if he was cool to the touch he still breathed, ate, felt as much as any man Gansey had ever seen. Maybe even moreso. No demon would agonize over keeping a captive, over how it was cruel to lock him away.

"Then don't keep me," he said, attention rapt on the Phantom's back. The words that left his mouth almost felt dreamlike. "You don't have to. I'll stay. I don't need any of that." Gansey surprised even himself; just days ago he was mourning the loss of sunlight and freedom. Now he was offering to stay with the Phantom of his own accord? Yet it felt right. He did not regret his words.