[ it's yet another difference between them, he notices. dorian wanting to keep his secrets or, at the very least, this one, and larus not caring one way or another what people know about him. the personal details of his life are different, but he's not thinking about that. he's remembering the much clearer details of last night, how dorian had sliced open his arm and there's not a single scratch on him. larus would envy that kind of ability – the healing without the need for blood – if he was the jealous type.

there has to be more to it than what he's seen so far though. ]

I told you I wasn't going to use that knowledge against you. [ if he could help it. ] And I'd never betray your trust like that. It will stay with me even if we decide not to keep this contract in the future.

[ such things are important to him, and maybe he needs to work harder to prove that to dorian even as he shifts just that much closer to him so he could touch him. he only takes his hand, soaking up the heat of his skin. it's a liberty he finds that he likes, and that's something else to think about. ]

I want you to trust me, Dorian. I'm giving you one of the few things I have left to offer. I'd rather not throw any of that away.