Look, Stephen knew he wasn't allowed. And yeah, that sort of thing never mattered to him in other, less shocking, experiences, but even that was different now.

He made a noise of frustration, rattling the pen against the surface like he was trying to see if he could actually break the wood with it.

"Are you," he started, easily enough. "Are you and Del going to get together."

There. He was a little proud of himself.