He had said it because he was angry and thoughtlessly looking to provoke a fight; when Hudson agreed with him Don Juan stalled out, momentarily unsure how to feel. He was still tense, still defensive, but briefly stopped in his tracks. Hudson looked — tired. Don Juan's shoulders gradually sank; tension oozed out of him like water from a cracked vase.

"Hey," he said after a beat, softer. "I like you. I'm sorry."

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