Cougar can't help the sincere smile when he gets called 'Carlos' because even in a bad mood, even on the edge of a dark madness that claims him, he'll enjoy little sweetness like this. He works at Jake's beard until there's little to nothing left, not even leaving a goatee because he wants a completely fresh start. If Jake complains, then he can grow it back, but it will be better.

Or maybe he'd thought it would be. Easing back, the look on his face is mildly disturbed. "I made a mistake," he confesses, crossing himself as if faith will help solve this problem.