[It's that completely uncharacteristic lack of a barb, or grating, or exasperation in turn that refuses Dean any kind of traction a moment later. There's nothing to hang onto, nothing safe anyway, and he runs right up against this thing he cannot change - this thing he would not, all told, change - without being able to fight against it.
His mind gets there before his body does, before his ruse runs out, barreling onward without brakes. He shuffles through the papers on his desk without any memory or attention for what he actually came here for, what he's looking for. Too distracted, even, to just pick one up and fake yet another thing. This goes on for several long moments, Dean's back to the Marquis, his eyes unfocused because too much is happening inside his own head and he can't process any of it. He couldn't even say, really, what it is he's reacting to. He doesn't know on the level that has language.
Not until he hears that smile. Then it clicks. His voice is still cheerful, but his throat is dry, and he does not look up.]
You're going home, aren't you? [His aimless hand turns over the same folder for the third time, and reaches forward for a loose piece of paper with several numbers and no real information on it.]
[ Spam ]
His mind gets there before his body does, before his ruse runs out, barreling onward without brakes. He shuffles through the papers on his desk without any memory or attention for what he actually came here for, what he's looking for. Too distracted, even, to just pick one up and fake yet another thing. This goes on for several long moments, Dean's back to the Marquis, his eyes unfocused because too much is happening inside his own head and he can't process any of it. He couldn't even say, really, what it is he's reacting to. He doesn't know on the level that has language.
Not until he hears that smile. Then it clicks. His voice is still cheerful, but his throat is dry, and he does not look up.]
You're going home, aren't you? [His aimless hand turns over the same folder for the third time, and reaches forward for a loose piece of paper with several numbers and no real information on it.]