( Oh, this has been a bit of a rollercoaster for Louis. Hearing that, too, is a surprise, and it mollifies him somewhat — though he feels just as vulnerable as before. Moreso, perhaps. He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, feeling off-kilter, wondering whether he's been too sensitive, read too much into things. )

... Forgive me. I don't speak of such matters easily. 

That night the two of you spent handcuffed together... I was worried for him. I behaved coldly. I'm certain that had some effect on what proportion of his thoughts I occupied. But he called you good company, before all of that happened.

( There. He can be nice. )