[Jason slings an arm around broad shoulders, and while Markus isn’t used to this kind of forwardness from… anyone, really, he’s long delegated him to the sort of man who would do it out of a compelling need to facetiously frustrating. That in itself is armor against feeling sincerely uncomfortable, and Markus just presses forward, winding through a handful of patrons going in the opposite direction.

If he affords a little bump of the shoulder against Jason as they walk, it’s totally by accident, right?]

‘Awfully comfortable’. [-he echoes, as they finally step out of the restaurant itself and into the night air. It’s still hot — nothing crisp or inviting about these summer nights — and Markus fights the immediate urge to loosen the tie around his neck.] Why? Because I’ve found a paying job? Don’t confuse necessity for comfortability. Some of the people in there… the last thing they inspire is any kind of ease.

[A lopsided grin.]

The potential for gossip is promising, though.