Edgar reveled in this kisses, moving so he could wrap an arm around each of them with equal intensity, equal stability. It was only the truth, he figured. Sure, there were other things he worried and cared about, other things he took seriously, but none of them came close to matching Neil and Grantaire.

They talked over and around him and Edgar searched into himself, wondering if it would come with the flip of a switch. He couldn't find any state change within himself but he felt warm, down in his chest, like someone was blowing on an ember. It had already been there, already been hot, but every new breath made its glow stronger, brighter. Except with them, it didn't fade. It just grew.

"It's important," he said. He knew as much, could feel that growing understanding. Maybe he wasn't a mess of tears or heart palpitations, but he knew it was important and that felt different. "It's still us, but it's important." He glanced between the others and thought that was right at the core of it.