"Just let me know if something hurts immediately," Steve said firmly as he pulled up the first of the tubes.

"I'm going to go alphabetical, starting at the top with a little section. Use the joint sectionals to divide them easily."

His fingers were gentle, careful, watching with the utmost attention to make sure that he didn't press or stretch the skin there.

"Still sleepy, or just wanted to hole up for the night?" Steve asked as he worked, his eyes firmly on his work, his fingers just as gentle.