One tear did manage to escape his determined self-possession. It crawled down his cheek, slow and steady. Henry’s eyes fell to it; he stepped in closer, as if unable to help himself.
He caught Theo’s tear with the side of his index finger, gently. He looked at his fingertip, after. Looked at it as though he treasured it, as though Theo had honored him with a precious gift.
“Please be care—” Henry clipped off the rest of that, and instead said, “I’ll see you this evening, Theo. When you’re done.”
Without giving Theo the chance to reply, Henry spun around and made for the door. Theo, overcome with too many sensations, aware he might be about to lose the person dearest to him in the world, watched him open it, step out into the damp morning, and leave.
Loneliness washed over him the secon
