[Yuan wishes, in retrospect, that he knew what part of that explanation had made the difference. It might have been any of his fumbling words. But-- does it matter so much, when he's achieved his goal?]

[Well. It might be nice to be able to do it again. Still, one thing at a time.]

Yes, you should have.

[But there's no rancor about it, oddly, and no edge to Yuan's voice. It's a statement of fact, not a judgment.]

[And he takes the salve from Kratos with a minimum of hesitation. He always remembers what people might say, and the vast spread of rumors that surely his possessiveness has done little to quell, but there's no one to observe and Kratos knows his intentions.]

Then don't try to. Let me.