At some point, Sebas had quietly left the archives, leaving Damien and Theo to eat their sandwiches in silence.
But it wasn't an awkward silence.
In fact, Theo had scooted his chair close to Damien's, leaning against his shoulder as they ate. The atmosphere felt light, almost dreamlike.
Every now and then, Theo would steal a kiss, turning the air between them into something close to a pink haze.
Actually, Damien thought, the fluffy, pink air might be edging toward awkward after all.
"Um, about Yegor Tretyakov…" Damien began hesitantly.
To calm the lighthearted atmosphere, Damien decided to bring up a work-related topic.
If he didn't, their afternoon activities might end up taking place in the bedroom instead.
"Do you think there's a chance Yegor Tretyakov found happiness in this world? Maybe he had a wife or kids here?"
He clung to a glimmer of hope, trying to take a brighter perspective.