[ there is something so real about daniel - maybe it's the nose-down, dogged determination and passion for his work, the way his mind spins and whirls with the offering of new information, or the small things that rankle at him (rashid-armand, in particular). he'd seen it when he was younger, of course, but louis can appreciate it more now, with his own age.

the very humanness of daniel molloy endears him further to louis, even if he would swear otherwise. there's no sense in wasting his energy - if daniel has to speak out loud, he might as well do the same. louis closes some of the distance between them as he takes another drag of his cigarette. not touching, but enough that he can feel the warmth of the blood pumping in daniel's veins. ]

I warned you about the cake, didn't I? [ a tilt of his head and his eyes shift to peer at the man. ] It smells like rot.

[ and he can only imagine what it does. he doesn't want to know. ]

Perhaps the walls of my penthouse kept us safe before, but here? My eyes and ears are open. I don't know what the dangers are, but I can assure you, Daniel, that I will watch your back as well as I can. If you think otherwise, then, well. I suppose we got off on the wrong foot.

[ understatement of the year, louis. ]