Mike was too casual. He knows that now--just because he isn't sure what to say to please Liam doesn't mean he should speak his mind. He's struck and while it's not hard he still tastes copper in his mouth from biting his teeth.

Then his chin was forced upwards and Mike, despite himself, finds his heart beating in his chest. He needs to focus, needs to calm Liam down. He knows how to do it by now unless the other is just looking for a reason, and he has to gauge that.

Despite the pain, he winces through it and speaks: "I didn't mean to, I'm sorry," he apologizes. He's under whether to call Liam master, sir, or just plain Liam, so he keeps that out. Instead, he's yanked towards the other by his chin and winces.

His hands are up in the air, as if he surrenders.

"I just thought I needed to express what was going on in my head," he mumbles quickly, and sends a panicked glance to the door.