The question is complicated.

But the answer comes easily as he meets Sawyers eyes. His own soften despite the nagging in the back of his head that this is a different version of what’s his…

“Yes,” he breathes, a gentle rumble as an undercurrent of his voice. It isn’t a lie. It isn’t the complete truth either but, it is what it is.

His fingers curl around each other and he licks his lips softly, “but I’m not expecting you to…” …take on that role.