Ken watches Ayame leave, too tired to dredge up the old hurts, the old arguments. Not that she'd believe him if he told her the truth; Lukas is much more part of his life than the family Murata Ken was born to can ever hope to be. It still hurts to see the disapproval and dislike in her eyes.

Lukas's joke is not particularly funny but Ken is surprised into laughing anyway. It is always such a shock to be reminded of the wicked sense of humour hidden under the polite mask Lukas wears in front of strangers.

He leans gratefully into his lover's touch, glad of the warmth and simple comfort. He doesn't want to share this worry with Lukas. Not here, not now.

"I know." He says simply, to the words and the intent behind them. "And I love you all the more for it."