"No, I'm not complaining," Birkin stated simply. In a few ways, that was worse. At least if he was complaining he wouldn't have to justify any of this to himself in the morning and could just write it off as Stein taking advantage of him while he was drunk. He stared at the shattered mirror for several moments before thanking Stein for the directions and shutting himself inside the tiny bathroom.

Birkin genuinely enjoyed the shower; he really needed one at this point, not only thanks to the blood on his face, but also because he had to wash about a week's worth of dirt and grease and grime off of himself. He let himself linger under the water for a bit, but eventually managed to tear away from the faucet and dry himself off.

He appeared in Stein's bedroom a few minutes after that, completely re-dressed other than his labcoat, damp hair hanging limply in his face. Birkin smirked at the other scientist. "Miss me?"