"Yeah," Max nods. "Yeah, I have lovers that are used to being able to come over any time. They won't know you. Some of them won't want you around to witness what we do. Probably a lot of them won't. So, we'll have to figure out what to do with you when that happens."

Max is already trying to calculate how much favor he has saved up. Would it be enough to add a second bedroom into this one? A second room with a door that connects, so Andrew can be here but separate. Maybe that could work?

There's something else too. Something he really needs Andrew to understand.

"Andrew, let me level with you here. My end goal is to slowly ween you into independence. I know that sounds impossible right now, but I have to believe there's a way. I swear, I will take care of you and keep you until I find it, but I will always be hoping there will come a day when I can set you free."