"I'm sure they run home just to remark to their families about how they had the most remarkable brush with a stranger that changed their lives." Grinning at that, it stood like a juxtaposition to the exhaustion in the slight fall of his shoulders and matching rings to his parabatai's about his own eyes.

There stood a dark bruise on one side of his face, but not that bad. Not really. He'd had far more in the past during his excursions. Tonight just proved unbelievably difficult to handle as he'd watched Tessa and Jem at dinner and after.

It all felt like he was slowly closed off from the two things he lived for without them even realizing or meaning to.

"You speak of my wonderful nature as though it's a bad thing." Pressing a hand to his damp chest, he feigned shock. "Truly, James, you should not jest."