I am still. Francis certainly hadn’t meant those words to carve themselves into Raju’s mind the way they have. Considering what he’d asked earlier, he probably doesn’t even remember that he said them. But Francis meant them. He’d wanted to stay. He still wants it now.

Raju bends down, not sure what he’s going to do even as he’s doing it. He kisses the crown of Francis’ head, lips pressing slowly against the hair and scalp there. He tries to speak but only ends up abandoning a brief, breathy noise and then just staying that way for a moment, hands cupping Francis’ head, breathing into his damp hair.

He straightens up all at once, swallowing and hurriedly smoothing down Francis’ now-disarrayed hair. “Then I should be thanking you,” he says, trying for a brisk tone as he reaches for more water with one hand, the other pressing gently against Francis’ jaw. “Turn your head for me, please.”