[he's not about to push his luck, not yet - not wanting to take advantage even if he can feel the tension between them like it's about to burst, a dam of all the sleepless nights and yearning with no understanding for what resolution looks like.]

Yeah honey. I miss it every day. Morning, noon, and night.

[his thumb skirts along tim's jaw, nail lightly running against the stubble that's a new and not at all unwelcome addition. there's a heavy exhale, hawk leaning forward to press their foreheads together.]

You remember - what I was doing for Senator Smith?

[his voice is low, as tentative as hawk ever gets, because he's fucking terrified tim will latch onto this like a dog with a bone and keep chasing the answer.]

It's like that now with the Balfours. That's why I gotta keep my distance for now. Can't let you get wrapped up in this.