Asher reaches out, his fingers gently brushing Jean-Claude's sleeve in wordless forgiveness, unable to fully bridge the gulf that lies between them, to forgive his old friend, lover. There's too much between them, still, too many years. But he no longer longs for death, and the hope of repairing what he had with Jean-Claude in years past is one of the reasons why.

He kisses Anita back, just as gentle and just as sweet, closing his eyes. He listens to her soft pleas, nodding once, slowly.

"I will stay," he promises, "for now at least."