[ James shrugged at the question, nonchalant. Steve went straight to what might just be his most sore topic. Talking about his childhood never failed to make him feel vulnerable and weak, and not really in the same nice, comforting way that sharing little caresses with Steve did. ]

Just my mother, and she wasn't around much. Sometimes not even at all. I had a stepfather who beat me. Honestly, I hated Iowa and I hated growing up there, I couldn't get out of there fast enough.

[ So no, not a particularly loving childhood. He sighed, closing his eyes and curling up like he could just hide away in Steve's embrace. ]

What about you?