I know. [ Carter huffs a tiny laugh. ] She thought I was a douche.

[ He tucks his head more comfortably into Rip's neck, nose against his pulse. ] I wonder if that'll end the cycle. If we finally get to live out our lives... I guess we'll find out, huh. Next life.

[ There's something strange and awful and matter of fact about how he says it, the knowledge he might lose her a 208th time. ]