This time, Andrew gasps, startled for a moment so that he nearly pulls away -- but as he realizes what this long-lost connection is, he puts one of his own hands on the back of James's neck in return, holding him close for as long as James is willing to share.

If there's a strange tinge to all of it, a feeling that all is not well, it's faint and Andrew isn't interested in acknowledging it. "Not fair," he murmurs, but he's laughing as he says it, feeling joy at James, at least, getting these things given back to him.