He heard the bag crunch between them and almost laughed. Eli really was sweet. James didn't have any great dreams to pursue at this point. He'd accomplished most of what he'd set out to do with his career... Well, maybe he could go back to working at university now that Malroy was almost grown up and he wouldn't need to put aside as much time for an adult child. Time would tell. But it was still very moving. Eli had clear goals and clear ideas to pursue them, and yet he wanted to support James' pursuits as well.

And that made him melt a little. Enough to squish the bag of pretzels against when he pulled Eil closer. No kiss followed, he really just wanted to hold him closer. He was such a thoughtful person. James had seen it in passing observing him at school, but to really be the recipient of that was moving.

"I appreciate that."