Strength. Strength and love, love so bright as to blind, so warm as to burn, so loud as to deafen, so glorious to taste that all other flavors are as ash. An image, of Alex, in the sunlight, smiling, so beautiful, so beautiful. Another of them, together in Toronto, Nick handing Alex his sword. Small things: a cup of tea delivered by a mothering rat, a trip for chicken that too far too long. Cuddles and pleasure and love and need, comfort and delight. Teasing flicks against his fangs, teasing nips along his neck.

I need you, Alex. I love you...and I need you.

The other arm is around him, holding Alex close.