His teachers never thought he could pay attention in class. Not until he was in military school, anyway, but prior to that, every single report card had made a note about him 'not working up to potential' or 'acting up in class.'

He'd been a little shit. But he'd had reasons then. Now, he was rapt. Listening, paying silent attention to every word, and trying his best not to let that old rage grow. Someone who could do something like that to someone like Sandy... He wanted to plant his fist in their face. He wanted revenge, but he knew that now wasn't the time. Now, he needed to listen and accept and keep himself calm.

And he did. He forced his breathing to be even and his expression as gentle as he could make it while he nodded and waited for the whole story to come out. Because he knew one story like this. A story that was turning his blood to ice in his veins, for all it was a stark reminder that some people went through hell and came out better people, while others went through the same hell and came out monsters.

"What was it?" he asked quietly. Careful. Proving he listened, but opening the door for Sandy to say what he would.