“I’m a giver,” Rory said, and that got a bigger smile from Arthur. He propped himself up on his elbows and looked seriously into Arthur’s eyes. “But really, I only want what you’re comfortable giving.”

“What about you?” Arthur said, with deep emotion. “I want what makes you happy, and I wouldn’t blame you if you cringed from my touch for the rest of our lives.”

“Yeah, we got some healing to do,” said Rory. “But there’s no rush, right? We got as long as we both need, long as it takes. I’m not going anywhere.”

He licked his lips, butterflies in his stomach, and said, “I’m not going anywhere ever.”

“I’m not going anywhere ever either,” Arthur whispered. “And I hope you believe me when I say that, but it’s okay if you doubt, because I will keep proving it true.”

Rory swallowed around the sudden lump in his throat. “Yeah, well,” he said, a little gruffly, “I guess I kinda believe you’re gonna stick around if your subconscious was willing to give me some of your aura.”

“I’d give you my name if I could,” Arthur said quietly. “Or take yours. One of yours, maybe not all of them.”

Rory’s smile became a grin, warm and hopeful. He licked his lips again, the butterflies dancing more excitedly in his stomach at what he was about to say. “I’d take a ring.”

Arthur stilled. “You would?”

“Something I could look at on my hand and remember we’re literally part of each other now? You bet.” He shrugged. “I’ll wear the Tempest Ring on the other hand. You can just get me one that controls the sun or something.”

Arthur laughed. He stretched forward, moving closer, into Rory’s space. “Maybe rings will help us both remember we can rely on each other for help. Or at least remind me I’ve bagged the only man alive who can solve my problems with a tornado.”

Rory huffed a laugh. “I will solve your problems, if you let me,” he promised. “And I’m never gonna let anyone mess with you.”

“Now who’s being overprotective?” Arthur sounded happier and lighter as he crawled over Rory, their bodies not quite touching. “I am going to get us rings. Both of us.”

“Aw geez, you wearing my ring.” Rory hadn’t even thought of that. “Ace, you can’t just say that kinda thing like it’s no big deal.”

“You said it first.”

“Yeah, but you’re not the one who gets stupid jealous all the time.”

Arthur hesitated.

Rory’s eyebrows went up. “Something you wanna tell me?”

“Want to tell you? No, not really,” Arthur said weakly.

“Something you oughta tell me?”

Arthur winced. He raised his eyes toward the ceiling. “You seemed to perhaps despise Sebastian a little less than the others.”