Outside, the clear sky shimmered through the leaves of the trees; the wind that swayed them hummed past the windowpane. On the floor, Val whispered in Adrien's ear: "I love you", he said. The words illuminated Adrien's whole being. He felt their echo within him; he breathed them in; and when they had filled him, he could finally reply: "Val, I love you too. I love you".