Michael receives Wolfgang’s touches passively, unmoving. His hand is still where they’ve replaced it on their waist—consciously, carefully still, even after Wolfgang covers it with theirs. As he thinks about what they’re saying, his expression grows sad and troubled. A knot forms in his throat. There’s a tightening around his eyes and brows that signals the potential for anger.
“Someone hurt you?” he says, hoping for Wolfgang’s sake that he’s misunderstood them.