[Instinctively, Julian took a step back, inhaling slowly. There would never be a situation where someone seeing him like that wasn't unnerving, but that reaction was promising, or at least, it was better than the nightmare scenarios he'd been braced for.

Still, he nodded, putting his earring back in quickly. Despite the spike of adrenaline at the sight of someone watching him, his voice was quiet and flat, with only the tension in his shoulders betraying how on edge he was.]

I would appreciate it if you wouldn't mention this to anyone. Reactions are rarely this positive. My luck has never been that good.