It’s not until Brian is walking down the crowded street, idly swinging the bag from the market and watching the smoke from his cigarette drift toward the sky, that he realizes that he’s not afraid. He is, in fact, quite content, and as he crosses Tremont he suddenly understands that Justin’s casual assurances have all been proven true.

He can’t actually remember ever feeling so at ease. He wants to tell Justin, to say everything, but he knows he’ll just struggle with the words. So he’ll just say I love you instead, and start planning a trip to New York.