His hands fell into a rhythm, lacing and tightening and feeling his way up Eli's boot as he worked on each one individually. It helped him focus, going one step at a time while they talked and simply sat in each others' presence. Being in the familiar space with the familiar scents all helped him slowly let his walls down.

"Of course," he said with a faint tinge of amusement. "Something simple... Don't tell me we're going to play cards?"