Put that way, Damen had to admit he hadn't thought of it quite in those terms. It had seemed to him that Laurent veered wildly from almost-liking him to outright hating him in a semi-regular pattern, like a wagon with a broken wheel that kept weaving from one side to the other. That the two emotions could simply coexist in Laurent, approval and disapproval both, came as a revelation.

The hard expression dissolved, even before Laurent's icy fury did. He didn't want them to be constantly at war. He would far rather have things as they were during those peaceful, blissful moments between them. Laurent was right. It was exhausting, and Damen didn't know how to break the cycle.

"I would prefer to remember them," Damen said quietly. All the anger was gone from his voice. He still took issue with the way his husband seemingly found half his actions unacceptable , but for now, he knew he had to show Laurent he'd listened to the rest of what he'd had to say. "I do desire to please you. But even more, I desire to know you. For you to know me and - be at peace and not fear about your situation here."

He held out his hand. palm up. "What would it take, Laurent?"