Oh this is so perfect. This is definitely exactly what happened after that knock. John all broken and lost in the house that feels more like a museum and Rodney came (with finger paint smudges!). And there are so, so many moments of perfection of language in this story that I really can't quote them all, but Rodney's face turning to John’s hand, shaping itself to the contour of his palm. John forces himself to stillness, terrified of this simplicity, of just the two of them. made my heart go all smishy and “He’s my civilian contractor.” made me actually cry because yes. ♥