[He sees the hand coming, but it still seems so sudden, and he flinches automatically when their skin connects. It's not as violent as it had been in the past, however, and he quickly shifts to lean back into the touch, letting his eyes close and a taut breath release.]

...It's going to be hard, [he murmurs, because he can feel this is a test that was just barely passed.] Things still feel like too much sometimes. Even when you make it better. This is fine, right now.