[Eliot would have said going in that he absolutely wanted nothing to do with manufactured intimacy. And he'd still say that now. But in this one instance, it had worked out for the best because he'd gotten a friend and a confidant out of it when he sorely needed it. He would forever have Margo, but there were things Eliot wanted to shield her from too, so there were details he held back. With Caleb, the need to do that had been bypassed.]

I had that. [Eliot smiles and shrugs.] It wasn't perfect, and I don't exactly remember clearly and he doesn't remember at all. But technically, I already had a lifetime. Even greedy as I am, I know when to settle for a good thing. [Because he'd ruined any chance at anything else when Quentin died because of him. Q being alive here - it was more than enough. Eliot just can't help but feel the twinges. Love's a bitch.] That bell did come in handy though. I'm keeping it in mind for next year, maybe I'll send you in to ring with Francis and I'll bring you water and peek at the show now and then.

[Eliot reaches for Caleb's hand, his fingers running over Caleb's knuckles slowly.] I appreciate the confidence, but trust me when I say that I can definitely be weak, and often a shit, and definitely a coward. He's allowed to be frustrated or disappointed.

But you help me too. And yes. I'll make you a best friends forever bracelet if you want, but only if you don't tell Margo. To be honest I'd make her one but it probably wouldn't suit her style in five minutes and then she'd toss it in a drawer. [Eliot gives him another quick, soft kiss.] Honestly meeting you is one of the better parts of this place, and given there's one best friend here, and another one back from the dead, it's a pretty exacting list to be on. Lets try to steer clear of monsters though.