"Or, or," Caleb says. He turns to Neil a little, hands up like he's pitching a novel new idea. "Hear me out. I'm your boyfriend... so I'm here... for you. Right? So, like, you should let me. We don't even have to talk about it. We can just sit, or lay, quietly, and just. Be together, so you're not alone."

He raises his eyebrows expectantly. This is a conversation they've had before, in some iteration or another, and it's a conversation Caleb has with... most of his friends who know about his ability. Everyone wants to protect him, which is sweet, but also, like, stop.