[ Steve's direct questions were sobering, to say the least. James had been trying to goad him to do something out here, at the bar, where people could definitely see, but Steve clearly was miles ahead already. He was so far down the road James hadn't even thought about going down that path.

He blinked slowly, and pulled back his head, staring at Steve. His eyes were bright and wide, all his thoughts jumbling and wheels turning behind the gaze, slotting pieces together, making sense of this, of what he really wanted. ]

I'll be yours.

[ He started with a soft remark, plain and simple. His free hand slid down to rest over Steve's chest, then he pressed, as though to keep them just a couple of inches away. ]

But I'm not just going to be yours. You can't ask that of me, Steve. It doesn't mean... What we have, it'll still be-- special. [ The word made his heart flutter, and he loathed the sensation. Steve made him feel so weak. ]

If that's what you want. But I can't give you more than that.