[Luca only huffs in response at first, snatching his hand back with a playful scowl. It's significantly defanged by the warmth spreading over his cheeks, never mind the clear adoration in his eyes. He does his best to deflect by giving Clive's bicep another shove, but quickly undermines his own efforts with a thoughtful smile.]

You are doing terrible things to my stoic persona, I hope you know.

[He... doesn't hate it. He's long lamented the loss of the boy he used to be. He's not the only one, either. Kiera still seems to hold fast to that young man. It would be easier for all of them, he thinks, to be a little more like that.

But he can turn that thought over more later. Clive is here and now at the moment, happy with Luca as he is. He reaches up, cupping the man's cheek and gingerly thumbing over the scar there. He waits only a second before leaning up to steal a kiss, one that he hopes conveys the endless gratitude he feels.]

If you could only ever do this, it would be enough. It's more than anyone has been able to accomplish thus far.

[He shifts just enough to lay his forehead against Clive's shoulder.]

I know you will. Perhaps it's too early to say but... you have yet to let me down once.