I was glad to. When it started taking shape, there was no one else it could go to. It . . . I thought about you, as I carved it. I wanted to do it. I wanted to give you something special, something no one else could give you.


[If he couldn't give his love, at least he could give a little nick nack. A poor substitute, but at least it was something. Steve leaned into James' touches, straining to be closer even as he held himself back. He was so scared of driving the man away. He winced at the request, and the questions. Steve met James' eyes, opening his mouth to answer then closing it again.

He gave James a crooked smile, trying to play it off as a joke, because that was the only safe thing to do. If he was honest . . .]


James I . . . You should be more careful. You shouldn't ask things like that. I might actually answer.