[ Matthew relaxes, utterly and completely. Declan's words unwind every concern that had wanted to knot inside him, smooth away every little niggling doubt. ]

Then I don't really care about it, [ he announces contentedly, unafraid of what he is, at ease with his own origin as simply as that. ]

I thought-- If you didn't know, I mean, I thought maybe-- it'd be weird. I don't know.

[ He shakes his head, and smiles at Declan like he realizes now it was foolish to be worried. To even consider that after everything, Declan might reject him because Matthew had come from one of Ronan's dreams.

It seems stupid now.

Declan may have been unmoored and unhomed, but because of him, Matthew never has been, even at the worst times. Declan has been his home, is his home now. ]

I love you, too.