Cook is no stranger to hugs, not really. He's given plenty, initiated contact that the receiver doesn't always expect, and he's been on the receiving end plenty of times. Make no mistake, for all his standoffish attitude, Cook is a tactile person. But all those shows of affection, they've been with people his own age. His mother and his father-- Any time he spent in their company was wasted, the hugs and kisses hiding daggers.

And now Sarah's kissing his cheek and hugging him. He likes her and she's fit as hell, but she's also old enough to be his mother. It's fucking weird. Weirder still, it's kind of nice.

"Don't get all soft on me now," he says, forcing himself not to smile. He refuses to; letting her pull him into a hug is enough. "I only like you when you're being a badass."