[ Naked in the lake, skin to perfect skin, heartbeat to slow heartbeat, they're closer than they've been in years. Maybe decades. Armand is all too aware of how Louis is pressed against him, the steady circle of his arms, even as he shivers in them, hearing the words he doesn't say. Cheek against his shoulder, he's so close to the column of Louis' throat. He lowers his arms to wrap loosely around Louis' waist. ]

I can't stop, Louis. [ He murmurs it softly, apologetically. ] San Francisco, Paris. Dubai. It's all I think about.

[ He pauses briefly, then continues, eyes closed. ]

I saw her. Claudia. When I was dying, she sat beside you and laughed at me. In her yellow dress, covered in ashes.