He caught Jim's eye, because he wanted him to see when he spoke.

"How about patience? How to bend a little, for everyone's sake. How to laugh at the little things, play, smile. How to let go and enjoy things, not worry so much. You taught me to follow my heart for myself too, to trust my skills when I had them, like the drawing. I mean... who looks at a colorblind kid and helps him get through art school, or as far as I got?"

He gave the shoulder a squeeze.

"I love you too. That's why I'm not gonna stand by and watch some dingaling insult my best guy. Not even when he's putting me up in a fancy hotel room."

And that came with a crooked smile.