It was an odd, momentary, drifting. The lines in the sand blurring, crossing as Max leaned toward Venus and Wyatt slowed a step to match Enjolras.

"It ain't so much 'bout rebellin' or defyin' anybody," he told the younger man, eyes steady on his face but for the moment they glanced away to make sure the woman passing on his other side had enough room.

He paused a moment, words as ever slippery. Still, somehow, never quite enough for what he wanted to say.

"They've taken everythin' else. ...They can put me in the arena, have me killed, but they can't take that. They won't take that."