Togusa can't help but laugh, a movement that jostles his side, and turns the laugh into a groan but then another laugh. "Never happened, tell that to my ribs."

So much that has been surrounding Malik has come to a head in these last few weeks. He flat-out asked if even James had set aside his grudge, justifiable as it was, and he had. And it's only looking at the boy (man by law, but Togusa can't bring himself to wrap his head around that) that he can tell that he has, too.

To a point.

"Whatever doesn't kill us.. didn't kill us. I'm not painting a silver lining on this one just yet."