If Anders won't finish that contact, Nathaniel will. He moves in and wraps his arms around Anders, hugging him tightly.

"That's the way this works. I've been shown grace, so I pass it on to those who've gone without."

He found it at age thirty. Long years spent unloved until he could wake up, and Anders was there at the awakening. He couldn't pass it on to anyone he wanted to give it to until now.

He breaks the hug and holds Anders at arm's length, looking serious.