"Nah, no one else can irritate me as much as you. I'm very good at ignoring people. Extremely good. I'm still obsessed with books if you haven't notice, except you don't tolerate it." He kissed Adrian's forehead, knowing that nothing could hold a candle to Adrian.
"You were still annoyed with me for dumping your unfaithful arse," he said, grinning. "The fact that I told you to fuck off when I met you again didn't help with that swollen ego thing you've got going."
Stephen stared at Adrian, smiling out of habit. "I can't imagine you differently. I love you and I want you, and I trust you so much, and sometimes I want to stay in your arms and ignore everything, because you make everything better." He kissed Adrian softly. "I want this to be the perfect birthday for you."