[The journey definitely put even more muscle onto Sorey's already solid frame, though he's still growing, but the knots Dezel finds are real and when he digs his fingers into them Sorey groans, going pliant in his arms. It's true that he's been stifling himself quite a bit; unwilling to put Dezel out or to trouble him any more than he already is, knowing that most of the questions he wants answered won't be until he meets up with everybody, nervous over how he's going to react when he sees where Alisha and Rose are buried (if their graves are even still intact). The passage of time has rattled him more than he thought it would, and though Dezel's presence has been a blessing that's kept him rooted, he can't help but be troubled by it.

This certainly helps though. And though it's embarrassing, Dezel nuzzling him and telling him he smells like leather and feathers and old books, well, if Sorey wasn't already sufficiently wooed, he'd be there now.]

Now you're just trying to butter me up, [Sorey mumbles with a smile, blushing as he runs his hand up and down Dezel's side. Don't think about the time apart, don't think about the sad memories. He's right here, with Dezel in his arms, and most of his friends still alive.]

I want- I want to make you feel good, [Sorey confesses with a little bit of embarrassment.] No- amazing. I want you to feel amazing. What can I do?