[ It would be easy. Another secret he holds to himself. Something selfish, something buried under the surface of roles they define themselves as. Wriothesley found redemption in being the Duke, in allowing rebirth and Lyney found magic in the mundane that was cruel and cold.

But this... Wriothesley is warm and Lyney doesn't move an inch. They're in the twilight of their desires, lost in an afterglow of their first kiss.

With the napkin plucked from his hand, Lyney just shakes his head softly. The realization of 'having'... of what is expected is just so... grim. For once, Lyney just wants to forget the role he's being told to be, the one he has to play. ]

Some things. Not all. You're not greedy, neither am I. Yet, here we are. [ And Lyney wraps that tie around his wrist with a desperation that feels vulnerable. He doesn't want to be under some spell of what should be if it feels so simple. ] It's not wrong to want. I learned that long ago.

[ When he took care of Lynette in ways more than a brother, accepted a life to give them what they needed and deserved to survive. ]

... Just lie to me, then. Push me away and let me shake you from my mind. Tell me you don't want this.