[ Smart of Ernesto to catch his wrist, because Gen had definitely responded to the return of that smile by starting to cock back his arm for a second punch. As it is, the feel of fingers squeezing around his forearm is enough to give him pause, just enough to listen to what Ernesto is actually saying. Not that it makes a huge difference in his selected course of action. ]

Who said I need you to change your mind? [ Gen laughs, a brief and humorless noise. ] That bitch just told us to stop you. Bet it'd work just fine if I dragged you back by force.

[ Strange how tired he feels, when this sort of shit was his bread and butter back home. Strange how it feels so much more exhausting trying to strong-arm people in listening to him here, even when they're being so docile and compliant. ... maybe it's because they're being so ridiculously cooperative that he feels so drained.

Maybe that's why he leans in, wrist straining against Ernesto's grip, as he hisses, ]

You were real eager to help me earlier, weren't you? You wanna do it again? Be a good boy and let me take you in?

[ 'Or are you going to fight back?'

Something about the vicious glint in his eyes, the way he maintains that grip at Ernesto's clothes instead of punching him with that hand, the way he deliberately leans in to mutter that threat makes it clear he kind of hopes Ernesto's going to retaliate. ]