[ Rafa looks down. It's not the first time he's heard that argument. That it rolls so easily out of Alec's mouth makes him smile. Alec has always reminded him of Shane. It's fair to say that he's never done so more keenly than now. ]

That is what Shane always said to me. That I would not be losing him, I would be gaining so much more. Family had never meant anything good for me. Families were cruel, manipulative, competitive things.

But he thinks as you do. Perhaps you both are right.

[ There's no doubt Rafa hadn't been ready to accept that before. He would not even have envisioned a time when he would be ready, before Eudio forced it on him. ]

You would get along. The two of you.

Do you think Magnus is ready? I did not even ask if it was something he had done before.