[ dimitri’s poignant words do stir serge’s heart. he’s susceptible to that sort of thing—stories of love in the face of adversity, and it seems like dimitri is faring better in the willpower of it, even if he doesn’t know how the results have shaken out. ]

Non. It has helped. Merely feeling less alone is a comfort in and of itself, but, how should I say this… [ he pauses. ] The love of others is a beacon for my own.