Raju nods, free hand moving to the rag again to tie it up in concert with Francis' movements. There's something soothing about it, moving together in even that one small way, anticipating where Francis is going to wrap the thing around or pull it tight, and what he needs Raju to do in return. It's the best of what's inside him right now, the part of him that can move and think that way, and he tries to focus more on it than anything else. "They only want it to be talking. If none of them did anything wrong no one needs defending, and nothing has to change. It's more comfortable. I should have known things were going to be that way."

Scowling, he pulls his end of the rag tight a little too quickly, catching Francis' fingertip in the loop. He tugs the loop loose and holds his hand apologetically over the back of Francis' for a moment, sighing. Of course things were going to be that way. They always were. Why would any of them stand up for someone when they didn't have to? But he'd never even considered it might happen that way. He never thought he was that much of an optimist. He hasn't ever expected that kind of support before.

It feels better, touching the back of Francis' hand. But it'd be strange to keep holding onto it. He makes his hand drift away, taking up his end of the rag again.