"You've always had an identity besides Death. Sometimes you just... need to be reminded of it." The taste of Ambrosia still lingers in Zag's mouth, still warming his whole body even with the chill of the night air, still recalling little tiny memories of happy moments, mostly focusing around Than. (The first time they took on a demon gate together in Erda. The press of their bodies tightly curled into one another in his empty room on the Train. The time he was gifted Cerbie, the bravest and sweetest Cthonic Companion.)

The question Thanatos first asks startles him, interrupting his pleasant memory trip. The huff and implication laid against him of impulse control or lack thereof just throw him off even more. Has he insulted Than again, unknowingly? Before the panic can surge in him, Zagreus cuts off those thoughts in his mind, the Ambrosia still flowing through him bringing some clarity that is much-needed in this instance. Explaining himself comes so much easier, now, than it had in the past. Or maybe he'd just grown.

"I just... don't mean to push you, Than. I know all this is kind of a lot. And I wanted you to know..." Their shoulders touch as Zagreus leans forward, his voice low and gentle as the intimacy between them grows. "... this isn't some impulsive thing for me. I'll wait for you however long it takes." I love you. I love you. I love you. Every part of his body language is screaming it, even if he's not. The longing gazes, the lingering of each touch that makes it hard to pull away, the continued grip of their hands, everything declares I love you.