It does feel like a reward. A really nice, soft one that he returns in kind, enjoying how this hasn't become too overwhelming, even with the talking.

"I wanna touch you everywhere," he says quietly, letting his hand press against Joaquin's chest, thumb running back and forth over his shirt. "I haven't done this in a really long time, though. Really long. And never with- you know. A guy."

Just to put it out there, since Joaquin mentioned Steve. He wished for it, dreamt of it, but it never happened.