"Yes," Krem admitted. It was all new and fresh and wondrous, as being with Hild had been, but in entirely different ways. Noah knew how to find words for things, how to look when Krem wouldn't have bothered; Hild knew her comfort and what she liked and how to be comfortable with others, had helped Krem be comfortable with himself.

"More so, I'm worried he'll judge me." He shrugged softly. "Losing him would be painful, but only for a little while. But he seems like a good young man, and honest. I don't want his upbringing to make him think less of me."