There was something beautiful about the way he didn't have to explain those moments anymore, much though he hated that they still happened. Neil looked toward him in a way that wasn't quite an apology but that showed he knew why Edgar was making a face, feeling lost. Their joined hands helped and Edgar reminded himself that there was still a lot for him to learn but he wouldn't lose those two for not knowing it.

Neil's words were as casual as Edgar's but there was still tension in his voice that Edgar didn't feel. But he was still saying yes, still willing to stick with this.

Finally, finally, the three of them were enveloped into one another's arms and Edgar wrapped an arm around Grantaire to drag him closer. "Why wouldn't you be serious?" he asked Grantaire. "I'm pretty sure the three of us are the only things we're serious about."