"I've always gotten by, but I might even be a good cook if I had someone else to feed," Dan says, which is true. Simple things, but in that wisp of a notion of what life might be, should he keep on this path, he can see learning.

He's not surprised to find that the idea of Marcus taking him to parties, something he'd usually avoid for dozens of reasons, doesn't seem like something he wants to avoid. "You'll have to stay close enough to touch," Dan says, half a warning and half a promise. He feels a little giddy, like his skin is buzzing. He lets his thumb stroke the back of Marcus's hand, and falls quiet so they can both feel the moment, the world around them and the connection between them.

It's good. It's really fucking good.