[asking felix if he was certain about something, especially when it was dimitri asking, was a surefire recipe for disaster. except in this case, he simply waves it off benevolently.]

Of course. That's why I'm asking. [somewhat horrifyingly, he offers another little smile at the feedback of dimitri's own wary feelings, substituting his trouble-free ones instead.]

I already said—we're free. If anything, you're the one caught up worrying about owing each other anything.

[there had been a time when they'd both been like this, so long ago. the return, although sudden, surprised him more by not being unwelcome. but now wasn't the time to get caught up on complicated exploration of why that was. everything was possible right now, and he in a place where he was able to embrace it.]

I guess I won't force you, though.