Instead of flinching away from the touch, he presses back into it. He's not forgotten that he isn't supposed to move, but he wants to show, badly, that he's full of gratitude. His face is wet, tongue dry, throat sore and his back is beyond words. He smiles, forehead dropping onto the wall. "Thank you."

Then he screams in agony again, face twisting up. New warmth trickles down his back, wet spots blooming on the tender skin. His world's melting at the edges. Welcoming it with a sigh, he checks his posture. Today, he's been a disappointment. It's time to change that -- and Jade's giving him another chance. A way to get the anger out of his system, to mellow out. And he can feel it wash over him as the desperation floods out, with every cry.

Acceptance. Serenity.