The stubbornness in Edgar's face sets harder -- and then, slowly, effortfully, begins to slacken. His hand in Max's tenses like he's about to pull away, and instead turns to interlace their fingers.

"Look," he says, low. "I still don't think it's right. Still want him to pay for what he did. But ..."

A long breath, and his shoulders bow as though to a great weight. "But I want you to be okay, and have what you need. Whatever you need. And that's bigger than him."