The question isn't welcome: Marcus has blocked out the way the blood drying on the tiles feels tacky under his boots, the fact that the rebar is still just sitting there. Midnighter asking brings it all too much into focus. His mouth tightens into a crooked line.

But: "Lemme do that, here," he mutters, taking the bandages. He's got a better angle. It's better to have something to focus on.

"It's alright," he says after a moment. "Blood, guts, that's fine, seen enough of that. Just worried me for a moment." Longer than a moment. A week. Hell, a month and a bit...nearly two months. Nearly two months since they've been in the same room.

Not the time. They're both busy.

"All fine. Get to watch you sleep for a change, huh?"