At the hesitation, he worries that he's misstepped, but then the other Prince takes his hand and Steve squeezes it gently. This is important and they're in this together. It's not just a show for the others. If this is going to work, the two of them will have to be on the same page. No one else can understand what this feels like, either.

He takes a step and then another, careful to match whatever pace Prince James might want to set. The last thing he wants to do is be seen as taking charge over him. It would ruin everything they're here for if the Fiukav were to see Steve as trying to take over their people. That can't be what this is about, regardless of their designations.

It's not until they've moved far enough away to not be heard, even by the keen ears of their fellow werewolves, that he finally whispers what's been plaguing him since he saw Prince James' face.

"I wanted to make sure I'm not--I wanted to make sure you're okay with this."