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"Coain

I put a hand on his chest, felt his heart pounding beneath my hand "You were born a soldier, turned into a monster, or so you feared And you made yourself a Master You made your identity"

"That was e’ effort, but to your point, yes" He lifted ers to his mouth, pressed lips to soft skin "Others wanted us to play certain roles To be certain people But we an House I have your heart"

He certainly did

"Besides, I wasn’t born ‘Sullivan’ And I don’t believe I’ve told you that story yet"

Before being outed, vaed names every few decades to avoid detection "You haven’t," I said, a little guilty I hadn’t thought to ask him before

"Television anchor in the seventies," he said with a grin "Name was Sullivan Steele"

"No"

"Absolute truth He wasn’t nearly as suave as the naested--I believe there was a double-knit suit in there, but I liked Sullivan"

"And Ethan?"

"That was Aaliyah’s idea" Aaliyah was Malik’s wife, a writer who tended to keep to herself "Found it in a book of baby names, which is e used back then for ideas"

"In the days before the Internet tubes"

"I don’t think they’re tubes, but yes When the library was truly necessary"

I narrowed est it’s not necessary now Because it is"

He wrapped his arms around me "Easy, Sentinel There are plenty of va us The Librarian would certainly lead the charge for my assassination or dismissal in any event"

"Good," I said I kissed hier our relationship"

He nodded "Besides, ould I do with the space? Although a conservatory would be nice" He shtness around his eyes

"You’re trying to cal thehis chin atopyou to be still"

"So you have," I said, and let myself be drawn in by the warmth and scent of hi him as a lodestar "I love you, Ethan Sullivan"

"And I love you, Merit of the Single Nah for me