The answer doesn't come right away and Ephemera almost starts to think he did something wrong, that he was--too much. But in the end, Drake stays. Holds him gently, and Ephemera just nods. Keeps his eyes closed. What they have is important and Ephemera desperately wants to keep it. The connection. This moment, Drake's arm draped over him and his breathing strong and steady. He'd gotten used to being alone, in most ways. And now, suddenly, he's not.

Except that Drake has Liv and--

Well.

Ephemera shifts a little, leaning back against Drake, and just breathes.