"No one could force this upon you," Marco says as he watches Kai with open, surprised eyes. His concern seems real, his worry and obvious discomfort.

"Hey, listen," he starts, shifting the arm that Kai is holding a little so he can reach up to cup the man's cheek within his palm. He aims for a calming tone. "This is not something that your father or anyone, not my father either, could have bestowed upon either of us. It happens like blue eyes happen or freckles, or having bowed legs or head for mathematics."