Not telling Al means you’d have to keep from boasting about being the favorite, you know.

[No hiding the fondness, even as he says it. If he were someone else, maybe Faustino’s pride would be grating, but Lancia likes him as he is.]

[Hearing about this pen pal is certainly new, and Lancia raises an eyebrow curiously. He wants to ask a lot more: has he seen her picture, what do they talk about, are there plans to meet? But Faustino doesn’t need him hounding on him like an old man. He’ll simply save his questions for later. Now that he knows she exists, he can bring it up now and again later.]

[Faustino, after all, seems much more interested in something else entirely, and Lancia chuckles as he gestures for the waitress to refill his drink.]

Fine, fine- it’s you. But don’t let it go to your head, alright?