“I can see it,” Daniel agreed.
“But how do I help you, again?”
Daniel’s gaze was level. Ellis was pretty sure Daniel didn’t know how to be anything but direct. “You bring out traits in him that I love. You remind me why I love them and him, and you show me how to work and strive to be in life so I can be worthy of him.”
“I do all that?”
“You do. It’s not all on you, of course, not your responsibility or anything close to it. I know Clark and know how I want to be for and with him and to him, but you…You show me how. Remind me how.” Daniel laughed ruefully. “I’m not saying this well. It’s…You see, you’re so open, Ellis. Honest and full of truth. Sincere. Bearing so much is hard for me. Clark makes it easier, of course, and has right from the beginning. He makes everything in life easier and better, but I still sometimes feel like I can’t keep up with him, and I want to give him…everything.”
“I think you do,” Ellis said.