Healed once more, Hermes relaxed into Carrick's embrace, nearly napping where he was the coolness of his vampire balancing out the warmth of the fire perfectly.
He thought about the question for a long moment. "How many times are you going to ask me that?" he said finally. "I love you because you challenge me. Because from the moment I met you, I had an intellectual match and not someone I could simply walk all over. I love you because you look at me like I'm the most precious thing in the world to you. I love you because even when you're being hard with me, you manage to still be careful. I love you because if there was ever to be a balance to what I am, it's what you are. I love you because we're two sides of the same coin, one more newly minted than the other or not. I love you because sometimes you look at me and your face relaxes just the slightest bit like you're thinking about smiling but can only allow yourself to just be a hair bit softer instead. I love you because you push me to be more than what I am, and even though I'm ever mindful of my place sometimes it doesn't feel like I have to be so much."
He leaned up to steal a light, gentle kiss again. "I love you because you'll ask for a list but accept poetry instead and if you'd like me to go on and on, I could. I don't think I truly need to. You are all that matters, Erastes. All that ever was and all that ever will be. I don't need to question it or think about it. All I need to do is look at you and know that I'm safe and home and never so much as when I'm in your arms breathing for the both of us even if sometimes I have to laugh for the both of us as well."