[ He misses the touch immediately and cranes his head after it slightly, though he doesn't respond in the same demanding way he might have just a few hours ago. Instead, he just sighs and lets the silence stretch. It might not be as comfortable between them as it used to be, but it's still the best sort of silence he knows. ]

I don't think so. [ He says it slowly, though he doesn't exactly sound hopeful or relieved about it. ] These are already smaller. [ He sucks on his teeth for emphasis. ]

And... I ain't like I was today. Like a... like an animal. [ He winces just saying it out loud. ] It's goin' away.

[ But with it, so is any last remaining sense of safety he'd had here. He's not sure how to ever trust himself again. ]