And without knowing it, Mark had retaliated with a sharp slap to the face. Because it wasn't Billy's choice to stay hidden. It was some stupid marketing ploy that he hated. It was less of a mask and more of a muzzle. He had no choice but to hide. Despite his best efforts, some of that indignation flared in his eyes. But it faded rather quickly.

He could see how much it had hurt Mark. So he reached out, resting a gentled hand over Mark's hand. "I know it's important to you, I'm not saying that it isn't." He'd said the wrong thing and didn't quite know how to apologize. So he took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I...shouldn't assume these things."