"I wonder if that's how it ought to be," Obi-Wan says thoughtfully, still stroking his thumb over Klaus's cheek, the lines at the corner of his eye when he smiles. "If it's meant to feel like something special each and every time it's spoken or heard."

He wouldn't know. He's told very few people in his life that he loves them. Three people only, two of whom are in Darrow. And with Satine, he can only remember having spoken the words aloud once or twice, which was truly not enough. Not for her and not for him.

He'll not make the same mistake again.

"We can make an experiment out of it," he decides, his voice light and teasing. "I can say it whenever I feel like it and you can see if you ever get used to hearing it. A very rigorous experiment. Properly scientific."