Despite the circumstances back home...just working with you, in the lab, I don't think of it as lost time. That would imply that it meant nothing, but that is not the case, is it?

[ He hums a little in pleasure at the thumb moving in circles on his back and the warmth of Jayce's hands against clothed skin. ]

But you don't need to thank me for this, Jayce. I. I should be the one to say it...to thank you. [ Because after all these years, he still couldn't muster up the courage to say how he truly felt. ] You have...given me so much in our short time here. It truly has been wonderful.