"It is," Marius replies, though he knows nothing of having to endure that kind of pain, especially all at once. He glances up at Rat again, amazed at the strength he possesses, even as he appears not to acknowledge it as such himself. "That's an awful lot to have to live through, though. That's incredibly brave."

He expects Rat to tear his hand away; he smiles to himself when he doesn't.

"Okay," he says, following the other man.