Marius lets his thumb stroke across the back of Rat's hand briefly, as they walk. He knows, from past experience, that he shouldn't pour himself so readily into caring for another person. But from the warmth that radiates between their entwined fingers and the way he yearns to help Rat take his mind of the stone, Marius knows, without a doubt, that he is already in deep.

"Actually," he mentions, relieved to hear the familiarity of Rat's sarcasm. "I was thinking of mine. Only without the parade of gamins."

Not funny, perhaps, but true enough.