Headcanon 72
His compulsions to touch Jim to ground himself in reality vary depending on where they are and what they’re doing. If they’re just sitting together, he’ll reach over and rest his fingertips lightly on the back of his hand for a moment. If they’re out walking somewhere, he’ll put his hand on the small of his back or one of his shoulders under the pretence of leading him wherever they’re going. If they’re in bed or lying together somewhere, he’ll reach out and brush his hair away from his forehead or kiss his temple. If they’re in the middle of a job or doing something important, he’ll try and make it look like an accident, like brushing his arm in passing or nudging their feet together for a moment. Sometimes he’ll wake up from a nightmare or let something get to him and need to grip his forearm or do something rougher. When it happens and he’s away from Jim, he has to find other things. Pain is usually enough of a substitute to get him by and hearing Jim’s voice helps a bit. He’s not sure if Jim has picked up on any of this. He suspects he must have done but maybe hasn’t yet worked out why because Sebastian has never mentioned it and will never willingly discuss it with him. One of his worst fears is that it will grow and interfere with his job.
I like this. But. Reverse.
Both.
