The door opened onto an office flooded with bright light from the large picture window behind the desk. Numair was at the desk working; he and Sraddi, sitting on a perch to one side, looked up to see Hawk filling the doorway.

"Ah, good morning," Numair said, seeming somewhat surprised. Hawk came around the desk, pulling a low stool around so he could sit across from Numair, who immediately poured him a cup of something steaming from the pitcher that had been sitting at his elbow. "You look miserable, love. I rather thought you'd sleep longer."

"I forgot somethin' important," Hawk mumbled, massaging one eye with his fist.

"If it's leaving Liya a message last night, I did that," Numair said promptly. Hawk blinked at him.

"Oh. Thanks," he said, having clearly forgot. "I love you."

"I love you too," Numair replied with a slight smile. Hawk picked up the cup Numair had poured for him, squeezing the eye he'd massaged shut against the light.

"That ain't it, though," he said. "Uh, I told you we got in a fight last night, right?"