[ What they couldn't make out with sight they always seemed to be able to discover in other ways. It was one of the multitude of rare things that made their relationship so special: there was very little they couldn't figure out about the other. In the past he might have thought that concept to be a vulnerability, but with Ed it didn't feel like one. With him it felt much more like strength than weakness.

It wasn't the time, he knew, but he couldn't help the little surge of warmth that came with the feeling of Ed's arm around him. But the weight of it didn't feel right. He was holding back. Trying not to be too much of a burden, he imagined. That wasn't going to work. ] Ed, I know what you're doing. I said I would help you and I meant it to the fullest extent. You can't strain yourself for my sake. It isn't right and I'm not going to let it happen. [ Never mind that question for now. ]