It had been nice, Steven must admit, being held like that. Comforting. And the stories had universally been wonderful, Hythlodaeus' slow and sleepy voice reassuring.

Perhaps that had also helped decide him.

"I'd hoped you'd find my boldness flattering," he replies with a smile of his own, moving closer to his friend. "As well as my interest. Because I am, you know. Interested. I've been for months. If fidelity hadn't been expected of me..."

His fingers are still long, his teeth still sharp. That's who he is, after all. He bares those teeth in a grin.

"But this is just a dream, isn't it? I can't be blamed for showing up in it, can I?"