Sterling could hardly help that question that fell so abruptly from his lips, laced with that hint of disbelief. Those tender words had a way of soothing those tremulous concerns that had so bothered him of late, those worries seemed as little more than fantastical self-pity now that Henry had returned. He had little reason to doubt the man, particularly with his lack of knowledge of what all of those weeks without Henry here had consisted of. That inquiry, however, prompted some measure of a tale from the lips of his companion. Sterling's gaze remained steady upon his companion as Henry leaned against the opposite wall. It was a gesture the boy was entirely inclined to copy, if only for the simple fact that it allowed him the ability to take his weight off of his injured foot. He listened intently to what little Henry offered - that search of the man that had created him and yet, those blue eyes softened ever so slightly as Henry declared himself as some sort of monster. "Henry....you're not...I know you feel that way but it's just going to take time okay?" That admittance that Henry hardly trusted himself in public prompted a soft sigh from Sterling's own lips. The last thing he wanted was for Henry to feel like this and yet, for a while, he couldn't deny that he hadn't thought much better of the man, even if it was in his own self-indulgence.
Slowly, his eyes turned towards the floor, a small frown settled upon his features as he tried to think of something he could say that might make this situation better. His gaze shifted upwards only as Henry came to stand in front of him, the boy quickly waving off that apology as if it wasn't a big deal - as if he hadn't spent the last few weeks cured up in his bed avoiding the world at large, as if he hadn't quit his job, as if none of it mattered anyways. That sudden press of Henry's lips upon his own had a way of breaking that resolve, however, much less the way Henry's hands moved to press against his jawline. He couldn't even begin to tell his boyfriend how much he had so desperately needed that small show of affection. His own hand settled upon Henry's waist as he allowed himself to be guided further into the man's embrace. He leaned heavily upon his lover, entirely willing to let those kisses be stolen from him and yet, he couldn't help that desire for simple closeness, regardless of the intimacy of sex or any other activity they might engage in. He just needed Henry to be here with him.

STERLING TENEMBRAGE