( he shifts himself when nate does, attenuated to what he's sayin' an' all the things he ain't. discomfort an' tension come off him in waves fit to blacken a sky if they had one that were anything but lightless to start.

gene reaches out an' touches his elbow. soft, then falls away. )

I don't need the details. Just, ah... how separate I ought to keep any mention of the both of you in each other's company.