Sticks and Stones
Bertie hadn't meant to say those things to Lionel. At least not like that.
He knew too well what it was like to be on the receiving end of an explosion peppered with insults that stung for hours afterwards.
Like father, like son.
He couldn't recall his father ever apologizing. Only children apologized. But Lionel was different. They were supposed to be equals. At first it had grated, but somehow, without him realizing, it had ceased to.
Until an hour ago.
Shaping the words, thanks to his mentor, would not be a challenge. But saying them would.