Nathaniel, it should be noted, will never be a fluent speaker of French. And with how fast Asher and Jean-Claude speak it when they talk between themselves, Nathaniel has no hope of understanding even a fraction of what Asher says.

But the effort is what he wants to show, being able to understand small sentences and endearments, and give them back.

"I doubt that," Nathaniel says, running his fingers through Asher's hair. "It's a pretty language, but hard as hell to learn this late in the game. But, I'm trying. I just... want to make you happy. I like knowing I put this smile on your face just from trying."