Steven knows he should be adding the next ingredients on his list now that he's more or less finished creaming the butter and sugar. He doesn't. Instead he sets the mixer down on the counter, and comes over to where Hythlo's sitting and puts his hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry," he says softly. "I-- can't really feel your loneliness with you, but I can imagine what it must be like to be the only--" Real. "--thinking person among moving shadows, knowing the one who made you doesn't realize what he did. That's awful, Hythlo. I wish..." But he trails off. Unsure what he actually wants of Hythlo, besides that understanding he doesn't really have to ask for.

"I wish I knew how to make you happier," he says finally. "You're one of my people now too, you know. Which means you actually matter. And I care if you're happy or not."