"Neither do I," Sean protests, forcing himself to his feet so he can head over to her side. Sure, he wasn't the one who wanted to de-escalate in the first place, and that hasn't changed any, but her reactions mean it could never be worth the risk on his end, either.

It's been a long time since he was so worried about her reactions.

"'Twas jus' a night out, dinnae be upset," he says, gentler.