The effect of the touch is immediate, every muscle locking tight as D freezes in place, almost as though Adrian's touch had turned him to a statue. But it isn't like before, not underlined with the tightly controlled urge to attack; it simply seems as though he hadn't expected it and didn't know what reaction was needed in return. So he didn't respond at all.

He didn't pull away either at least, just shook his head carefully.

"No."

If and when the hand is removed he stands and carefully crosses to the desk again, the flask still in hand.

"You have questions. You can ask them."