[ Using the device was more taxing than Damen thought. He relaxes visibly when they're done, his shoulders settling and his eyes softening as they take in Laurent. His head tilts up, eyes meeting his lover's. ]

That did not stop most of them. I will see how we fare. A new world comes with new challenges.

[ And surely, new difficulties too. There's a part of Damen that wants to see how he fares against other people's powers. They might change the game, and he would rather discover that in training than when it matters.

He shouldn't think of that now. This is the first truly quiet moment he's had with Laurent since he was wounded on the palace floor. He puts his hand into the other man's squeezing it. ]

Now we are alone. That's an improvement, don't you think?