[Normally not adverse to touch, Molly's reaction of pulling back is more pointed than it should be. He can only hold Ren's gaze for a moment before he's stepping back.] Bad memories? Let's leave it at that. It just triggered something in me. [Again, his stomach twists in knots, because it's a lie and it's a truth and he doesn't like that it's even a little bit of the latter.

If he doesn't want that examined, he should really answer the question, which isn't even a difficult one. He just doesn't like being viewed as a liability or a danger. When that happens, he ends up being forced into honesty, and that's supposed to be a non-issue here. This is a place where Lucien can't touch him.] There's an inn Caleb, Nott, and I stay in sometimes. It's not far. I can sleep it off there.

[He drags a hand down his face, gritting his teeth, and still repeating himself, like a mantra.] That shouldn't have fucking happened.