Krem was quiet a moment, momentarily baffled by the response. Then he gave Thomas's hair a short tug and dissolved into effusive, joyful laughter. The tug was for the smartass comment but, if he was realistic--and Krem tried, for the most part, to remain as realistic as he always could--so was the laughter. He supposed it was what he got for the question.

"I have a friend here in Darrow," he said through his laughter, "who came from a city under the ocean. She said it was beautiful. If you're really so interested in what the ocean's like, I'm sure she could tell you."

Krem peered down at Thomas and smiled. He soothed his fingers against his scalp, back behind his ear, along the slope of his jaw. He sighed, admiring the shape of his face.

"Come up here a moment? I'd like to kiss you." Even the last was said a bit as a question.