No one has except Fran, and he's managed to tuck her into her own category. More older sibling than peer.

The tenderness of that touch, though, and David not growing impatient with him are calming him. At his words, Balthier exhales, letting more out than just his breath.

It's not going to change in one night. But he's bled off a little of the poison, and that's how healing happens, a bit at a time. Maybe more importantly, he's starting to realize David isn't going to push him away.

"I love you," Balthier says into David's neck. And what he means is, and I feel loved by you.