[In answer to the unspoken question, Kyle, out loud, but quietly, so that only Jim can hear, says:] I'm not holding back.
[He's not wearing the ring and he's sure Jim's noticed; without it, there's a lot less pressure to concentrate, or focus, or restrain himself. He's not about to open up all his emotions and let them run loose through the metaphorical telepathic field like some rookie, and it's not the complete no-holds-barred that he'll need, someday, but right now it's enough.]
[He taps Jim's mind, in curiosity, but more so he can recognise which one of the sensations is coming from Kyle, and which from the others. At present it's a distant, gentle breeze, barely touching Jim at all, but very much there. He tugs Jim's sleeve then lets go, sits down near the turtle.]
You can have mine if you want.
[In contrast to Jim's caution, Kyle's mind, to Damian, is open, the affection there fiercer but not overwhelming: they have the turtle to intensify that and Kyle doesn't intend to overload the kid the first time he's experiencing something like this. Yet, firmly, he asks, When was the last time you slept?]
no subject
[He's not wearing the ring and he's sure Jim's noticed; without it, there's a lot less pressure to concentrate, or focus, or restrain himself. He's not about to open up all his emotions and let them run loose through the metaphorical telepathic field like some rookie, and it's not the complete no-holds-barred that he'll need, someday, but right now it's enough.]
[He taps Jim's mind, in curiosity, but more so he can recognise which one of the sensations is coming from Kyle, and which from the others. At present it's a distant, gentle breeze, barely touching Jim at all, but very much there. He tugs Jim's sleeve then lets go, sits down near the turtle.]
You can have mine if you want.
[In contrast to Jim's caution, Kyle's mind, to Damian, is open, the affection there fiercer but not overwhelming: they have the turtle to intensify that and Kyle doesn't intend to overload the kid the first time he's experiencing something like this. Yet, firmly, he asks, When was the last time you slept?]