It feels more and more like most of the castle could just walk through the goddamn door, whether or not he's got it locked. Habit is to keep it deadbolted when Clementine's there, but when it's just him and Tess is on her way, what's the point?

(What's the point with a lot of this, he wants to think, but that's an ugly road. So he shakes it off again, like he always does, just because the letting himself wander down it isn't an option.)

"Aren't we a little old for that?" But it's tight, not quite sarcastic but definitely not serious, and he leans back a little in his chair as he lifts a hand to greet her.