Careful hands link themselves in with Josh's, fingers unsure, as James, still very new to casual touch, puts his hand in the other boy's. After a moment, he leans in, about to brush his lips against the other's neck -- before remembering that was the main 'off-limits' spot for Josh. Quickly pulling away, a slight embarrassed flush covers his face. "Sorry -- I, uh, forgot about... y-y'know -- sorry." His voice is sheepish, and he tucks a strand of hair behind his ear. -- multiiplicity :3c
He’s getting a bit more used to casual affection–years of such isolation led to touch starvation, and physical touch as simple as hand-holding was foreign to him. But it was getting better. Kissing took no thought anymore, and the two slept on each other more times than they could count. Their trips to various hellish places–the hotel for James, and Tempus for Joshua–served to actually bring them closer, exacerbating their need for touch and comfort. James’ hand was welcome in Joshua’s own, months of them being together leaving him more comfortable with that. It was… improving.
And Joshua thought about this as James apologized again (it wasn’t the first time this had happened, but James always caught himself, and it wasn’t frequent) for nearly touching his neck, a place Joshua had previously explicitly told him to not touch before. He hated anything touching his neck, whether it was a necklace or a buttoned collar or another’s hand. James understood, and respected that, even if there was the occasion that he forgot. But… it was exposure that made Joshua more comfortable with touch, right?
Joshua turned his head towards James as he took a breath. If there was ever a time to try exposure therapy for this, it would be then. James had seen many sides of him, the darkest and ugliest parts. With this, there was no one else Joshua would trust more than him.
“You… you can if you want. I–I won’t mind.”
