And there it was; admission of the root of the problem. Oscar stared at the steam swirling upward from his cup rather than look at the rakish man, already trying to imagine the how and why of everything.

"That fact doesn't make it easier, though. People are still hurt."

He let that settle in for a beat before finally lifting his gaze.

"Whatever's between us will end up fine. It's got to. If anything, you should know that I still believe in you."

It was a careful choice of words, especially given their shared habit of acting without disclosing their thoughts to others.

"It's the others who might give you more problem."