"When it was just Vax, Percy and me, it was okay. We just didn't talk about you and Vex. Pretended not even to think about you," Kash told her, beginning the slow, endless process on filling in his life without her.

"It got worse after Vex arrived." Vax had his twin, Percy had his lover, and Kash had been alone. "But then it got...not better. Different. Trinket's good company. And Vex tried to take care of me. It took awhile for me to realize it wasn't just for you she was doing it." But for him, too.

"Pike helped because she's Pike, then Lillith came. Lilli... I'm glad we had a chance to get to know her in Vassalheim. Having her here made it easier to remember quiet moments being with you."