His immediate first and second instincts were to take a professional seat across from Darius, further establishing their professional engagement and lines to no longer be crossed.

His third instinct, however, was drawing patterns between all the times he had seen Darius. A new butt of Chris’ jokes. Golfing by himself. Here, at the funeral, surrounded by his family and yet sipping wine alone in the back. The lack of thought toward self-preservation.

Isolated.

Was it pity or opportunity Zechariah felt stronger? No matter. He took a seat next to Darius.

God damn it felt inverse to how it looked.

“I would be honored to,” Zechariah said blandly. “Though I must mention that my personal expertise is in-- criminal law, rather than estate planning.”