Devero breathes in deeply, slightly regrets it because of the acridity of the smoke, despite Koumyou's efforts, and considers his response. He doesn't want to answer too glibly; he too feels the tension between them, weightier and more significant now than his initial creche-kid crush.

"I try not to say things I don't mean," he says finally. "Being around you is electrifying. You make me feel better than I've felt in--" He pauses, and is the one to look away. "--in a long time."

But he looks back a moment later, recalling what Koumyou had said to him earlier, and tells him, "You make me feel seen."

He releases the other man then, and steps back to give them both a little space. "I think... I think I've been lying to myself about... a lot of things, lately. And I think that maybe around you, I don't have to keep doing that? If you'd even let me."

It's an overwhelming thought, and his voice wavers as he says it. He has been lying to himself, but all those lies were defensive walls in a fortress built to protect his heart. The wounded creature inside that fort is gibbering in fear to even put it into words, this barest acknowledgement that Valdana has treated him badly. He's been hiding in the dark, trying to survive her abuse-- and Koumyou's been a light, lancing and insistent, finding its way in.

"I don't-- w-want to run away from this anymore. And I definitely don't want to run away from you."

A pause, and then a rueful laugh. Once more, he looks away. "If you'll have me, anyway. I don't want to impose or presume."