Chapter 38

Fox sighed, and leaned back, closing his eyes.

“Don’t fall asleep,” Seven said, reaching out to push his shoulder, but stopping before he made contact, his hand hovering awkwardly.

“Is that not a thing you do?” Fox asked sleepily.

“What?” Seven said, hastily snatching back his hand.

“Touching,” Fox replied with a twist of a smile.

“It’s not real touching,” Seven said defensively, hugging his own knees.

Fox gave him one of those looks, the ones that made Seven want to curl up in a dark corner and never be looked at again. It was the kind of look that wondered if he was even human enough to want to be touched. It was a look that made Seven wonder the same thing. His insides twisted, and he turned away his face. It wasn’t so much touching as beingtouched and having no control over his reactions.

“It’s a good impression of real touching,” Fox said, his voice suddenly nearer than it had been. “Do you really not like it?”

“There’s no need,” Seven said to his knees.