Steve just stroked the boy's cheek, "Talk to me? I know you find it hard. I know something happened back home Suzaku, something beyond intolerable. Something that changed you." Because he couldn't imagine the kid had never smiled, never laughed. Never been happy.

"I don't know what happened Suzaku, and I won't ask you. I wish you'd tell me on your own one day, but I won't push. But it makes it hard for me to know if what I do is good or not. You're so reserved. It's not bad! You're welcome to be any way you want! But I can't read you very well." He chewed his lip, "I know you don't much like being touched either, but you endure it for me. I appreciate that." It also didn't make him stop.