He should be more proud of his army of lovers, but every confession just leaves him slowly colder and colder, the familiar hollow feeling trying to find a way into his grace again.
It's stupid, because he is far from alone, and he can't even say he is lonely, surrounded by his maybe friends and his soulmate, but that doesn't help with the stubborn emptiness taking a hold of him again.
But after they are done, at least for the time being, Chloe makes a beeline for him and rests her forehead against his, a soft smile playing on her lips, chasing away his darker thoughts.
She was barely five feet away from him all day, and he still missed her so much it hurt.
They stand there for some time, with half-lidded eyes, just breathing each other in, before she steps back a little.
(If this was anyone else he would chase her smile, but she isn't, and he is not brave enough yet to risk losing her over this.)
"You sure gave me some work to do." he takes in her exasperated eye roll, her little smirk, mischief shining in her eye, and looks at the three dozen witnesses standing not far away from them.
And he did didn't he?