"No, but Ophelia's your favorite, right?" Marius asks, watching Rat and the swirling expressions on his face. "I'd really like to hear you read her, if you wouldn't mind?" He wants to see how Rat portrays her, wants to see his passion for her in the words she speaks. And he hopes the play, not being a story, might hurt less for the other man.

He can't hide his grin at the half-hearted attempt Rat makes in getting Polyphemus to move. It's entirely endearing to him, how much the other man clearly cares about the creature.

Marius clambers over onto the couch, not hesitating in the least to cling to Rat's side, leaning his chin on the other man's arm.