‘Look at what they missed.’ The cynical piece of himself responds with wordless, not-so-nice sentiments about his own middle-aged body, but the happiness knocks it all back from actually forming coherent thoughts. If Ram says so, then he needs to trust in it.

“They didn’t think I would be a good match for them,” he smiles, still radiating joy. He leans down and tries to find Rama’s cheek with his lips, pressing a gentle, tired kiss to his skin. “I must have just been waiting for you.”

As he says it he has to turn his head to quietly yawn. As much as was and wasn’t resolved, waking in the middle of the night still isn’t ideal. But they’ve already stoked the fire, and it’s lovely and warm on the floor, so Crozier pulls himself back and climbs to his feet. “Stay there.”