So much for thinking a day would be enough time to digest. Instead of the smile he'd prepared very carefully in his head, of course his mouth does the exact opposite. Damn hugs. Damn Taxon. But he hugs back, all big arms and firm grip and solid, sturdy tree trunk of a friend. And if he should hide his face for a moment in those damp curls, if he should rock from side to side, well, that's just the way it is.

"I know," he grinds out, patting Glitch's back. "I know. Me too, Glitch."

He can't remember the last time Glitch called him by his given name.