That wasn't that comforting, when they're hands that could bend fucking sewer pipes, but it was a good faith kind of gesture.

"Good. I got enough of a pain in my ass from the weather."

Steve, for her part, was returning the hug with enthusiasm. It was a rare treat to see a friend in person. She explained how she was Thunder Fang'ing the generator into working. She was helping! Also she'd thrown a bunch of sandbags around.

"Yep," Blake agreed. "Funny thing, how we never go get a beer or anything. You're stuck here too, huh?"

He looked up at Ralph and saw the odd, stiff way he was standing. "Relax. The rat won't blow up anything. It's just keeping the lights on."