[ He makes a small noise in acknowledgement, before the room falls into a brief but – dare he think it – comfortable silence. It's hard to think that even after everything, they'd be here like this. Calling it nostalgic isn't exactly correct, given how things typically went with them when they were teenagers. But still, it's hard to complain, even if they've spent most of the time bickering.

And yet.

Julius sees that smirk fade, and he sighs, crossing over to the table and leaning against it, his hands going to either side for support. ]

You asked me a few weeks ago about whether I would be willing to send someone else to their death if whoever was the real killer was someone everyone pitied. [ pauses ] It probably would depend on the context, but as a pure hypothetical, I don't think I would. People know the risks that come with deciding to avoid detection. Having someone else pay for it just because its the "ethical" choice doesn't make it right.

[ He's aware of how hypocritical it probably sounds, but. He doesn't particularly care about the optics. ]