Laurent continued to clean Damen's cuts, turning his chin this way and that when Damen's attention strayed to John. His hand was warm against his side, and Laurent was grateful for it, even as it lended an odd intimacy to an otherwise somber occasion.

When Damen was clean, Laurent extricated himself to retrieve ice for his ribs, but he paused when he saw John methodically working. The man was always quiet and calm, it was one of many things about him that Laurent admired, but he found as he studied him that he had missed something. There was an extra tension in John's jaw, a grimness to his eyes that didn't speak of long habit. He had done this before, yes, but something was different.

'I apologize,' said Laurent, coming to the truth abruptly. 'I did not realize Dutch also held meaning for you. Please.' John was nearly done with the worst of it, and Laurent could no longer help, but he still had a fully stocked kitchen. 'Allow me to pour you something steadying to drink.'