[Vander doesn’t miss that disappointment wiping his smirk away when he refuses to escalate. Good. Let him learn that being a nuisance isn’t always going to get him what he wants. As much as his own agitation has risen, he’s not going to be baited into such foolishness that easily.

But of course, the hot-headed, angry types who pull this sort of stunt never know when to leave well-enough alone, do they?

Vander has put a lot of time and effort into honing his patience over the years, and it serves him well in this moment. The kid might be trying very hard to test those limits, but for now, he remains unflinching as he gets in his face. Stares him right in the eyes without faltering.]

Trust me when I say you don’t want to find out.

[He’s got nothing to prove to a boy with a temper problem—certainly not enough to cause a real scene by being provoked into throwing a first punch.]

If you’re that damn keen for a fight, look somewhere else. Hear they got a place in town especially for it, in fact.