[ Here he thought being trapped by the whims of this toad was the issue. What he never could have predicted was suddenly having to reconcile between his growing respect for Richard as a would-be diplomat and the discomfort of being put into this intimate position now seemingly at his behest. He's witnessed it for himself — Richard is a quiet man when he's not engaging in strategics — and maybe that's why Miller never would have expected this out of him. Did he find it funny to make a joke at his expense?

The back of his neck grows hot as the pressure settles upon him, As the back of Richard's hand knocks against him, he hardly has to move to firmly grab his thin wrist in return. ]

What in the hell are you talking about? All I was suggesting was a kiss on the cheek.

[ That's right. They're comrades, or as close as you can get to that word in a place like this. Or so he had thought. It shouldn't hold this much weight... and yet, the suggestion that it does seems to incense Miller. ]

It has nothing to do with desire. Do you think I want to be trapped in this mess?