“Because, my love, you have a heart that knows pain and hasn’t hardened from it.” He takes David’s hand, curling is own around it, holding it to David’s thigh.

“You want to prevent that pain for others. You want to reach for them the way you want them to reach for you. But you don’t get to choose that for them. Not everyone nurses their pain that way. Not everyone is ready to accept love.”

He turns David’s face toward his, gently gently. “This isn’t about you, dear one. You’re trying to control others to feel safe. I know. Scions, I know.”