It gets a little harder to let his brother keep a hold on him just then. At first it was nice because, hey, how long's it been since someone last touched him to try and help, just because they wanted to? How long since his brother did? But the moment Ford's hand tightens the grip becomes a threat, or feels like one, and Stan's fingers curl, he goes all tense again even before Ford finishes talking. If this weren't his brother he'd tug his hand away right now, and if this weren't his brother he'd refuse without a second thought. That's the kind of thing you hear from people before- well, before all sorts a' things, none of 'em good.

There's the tone, too, which along with what Ford actually says has Stan drawing himself up straight, eyeing Ford with a distant, cautious look.

The guy in front of him might lead him anywhere. The guy in front of him might do anything.

"Yeah," he says. "Yeah, alright. I got no place to be. Show me."