[The transition is incredibly smooth, so much that perhaps it should bode poorly to them. L feels as though he's momentarily given the reins of his life over to someone else who can ease and smooth out all the things he clearly finds so difficult. It's gentle; it's a relief, and he is very good at falling into line once he feels the course is set.

This is the course: he is Shōyō's boyfriend, Lazarus Sauveterre, maybe-French, smart enough to be on CSI. He's getting to be a good kisser; his interest in sports is enough to sustain any of Shōyō's excitable rambles. He's happy; he's content. He's excited for the future.

It's like knowing who he is again, at least having something to hang that onus on, after having his ego so thoroughly deconstructed earlier in the evening. He hasn't fully processed that, what it means going forward, what it means for his Bond with Paul, but being happy-content-maybe-French-Lazarus-boyfriend-Sauveterre-sports-CSI-kisser means he doesn't have to yet. It can rest, and wait, and maybe when he's ready to look at it again, it will be toothless and gentle and painless.]

I haven't, either.

[For so very many good reasons. Did he want a boyfriend or a girlfriend? He honestly can't remember if he did, whether it was a difficult sacrifice to make or one that barely mattered.]

It's surprising in your case, though. I've heard that the Olympic Village gets... busy.

[All those young bodies in peak physical condition together in close quarters... wouldn't it make sense?]

Have you never even thought about it before?