"I did," Cedric agrees. Now they have no choice but to face it. "But how long could I have lied? I would've cracked under a week at best."

His compulsive need to be honest just about everywhere would be the downfall of them all.

"Nothing's ever been simple with us, has it?" It's almost funny. He'd smile, but he's focusing all his energy on pushing his hand closer. That's the most he'll do for now. It's Howard's to decide. "We're just...jumbled up together and learning to deal with it. But I wouldn't have it another way."