( he twists the cup around in his hands, feeling the smooth surface against his fingertips. )

Often.

( it didn't escape his notice that the dynamic between him, mavis, and murphy echoed the one he'd had with ione and leto — at least in the most general sense.

it also didn't bring him comfort. ) I know myself well enough by now to understand that I either love or I don't, there's no middle ground. And I'd rather have them than be alone.