[John gives no indication that he's been caught in anything, giving a languid shrug of a single shoulder.] You asked what it meant to me. That's a good way to open yourself up to a bit of artistic license.

[But that's not the important thing. John happily lives up to his codename of Spiritfingers by drumming lightly on William's back, no more than one finger on each hand touching his skin at a time. Each one radiates a warmth, only to be pulled away and replaced again. Sometimes he deliberately taps against one of the lines of the tattoo, causing the heat to flare for a singular moment at a time.]

Not all spells require an incantation. Or maybe you just light the fire in me.

[They both know that second part is bullshit which is why John follows his comment with one of his customary winks that William loves so much. With the now warmed fingers John continues tracing the lines, contemplating the direction of the branches.]

Tell me what you're thinking, Louis.