[Hearing it - hearing someone say it out loud - always embarrasses him, even though he knows it's true. He has grown. Before he got here, but this place, with all its faults, has done a remarkable amount of good for him. It gave him hope, not just for Darwin but for Erik, too. It didn't make his anger go away, but it took away the sense of futility that had dogged his steps since Cuba. Things can change. They don't always, but they can. Nothing is written in stone.]
[Not even the good things.]
[He feels physically pushed against at the strength of Erik's feeling, as if someone is pressing their palm against the center of his chest. As he always does, he pushes back, straightening up slightly and leaning forward. Yes. He knows.]
private
[Not even the good things.]
[He feels physically pushed against at the strength of Erik's feeling, as if someone is pressing their palm against the center of his chest. As he always does, he pushes back, straightening up slightly and leaning forward. Yes. He knows.]
Guess so.
[A watery smile.] Starting to guess so.