( it's the irreverence, really, that tips him off: people tend to fall back on that when they're trying to deflect away from their true intentions — or, just as likely, vulnerabilities.

the urge to press is there the urge to press is there, to see where the cracks would form and what could seep through. it'd be unpleasant, though, and wasteful. )

Okay. ( a little nod as he says it, acknowledging. ) I don't need to know the details. If you tell me I don't need to be concerned, I'll take your word for it. But I also don't like surprises.