This is so much more than I could have hoped for! I loved the tone, the expansion of the Roomie comfort by their years together into non-verbal conversation, Neela-in-Alice and the slight tension around Lucien and the baggage he brought. But then his reason for coming was not what they'd expected and Ray's response...and it was lovely and brought back all my feelings for these two. (Honey!)

(I wasn't! I really didn't have anyone in mind beyond a connection to their past. But I'm glad it prompted you to write this.)