[ it's a quick thing, there and then gone again. it was startling to feel it, something that sharp, when he'd been simply wistful there for so long. ]

You needn't apologize. Just — I can say that. I can say things that I'd tear another man's head off for just thinking about him. You know.

[ Or maybe not. ]

His words? [ repeated, thoughtful. and then, an olive branch of sorts. an attempt to lighten things, just a little. ] I don't know. I've been around for a very long time, and I've met quite a lot of absolute bastards. Are you sure he wasn't just trying to make himself sound more impressive? It's the sort of thing I would do.