[If his hackles were suddenly raised in one moment, they’re lowering in the next, simply by watching the procession of emotion sweep through the young man’s face. There was something shaped like fear there, right before the meld into stark realization, and a blatant, apologetic shame. Stephen’s own body’s been frazzled by an adrenaline spike, and he’s hates the feeling of being unable to rely wholly on his magic in moments like these, but seeing a look like that?

It’s not like he can stay agitated.

Slowly, he straightens. Exhales, allows the tension to exit his body, shaking out a hand.]

I’m fine. I’ve had worse thrown at me. Lesson learned: don’t ever startle you awake.

[Whoever this kid is!!

He notices the small murmuring of people around them, reaching up idly to adjust the ridiculous corners of his ridiculous coat, offering in a placating, yet authoritative tone—]

Everything’s fine. Just a misunderstanding.

[Time to shirk off any attention they’ve won first.]