"I ain't hurting him," he says sharply, turning to face Meyer. Except maybe just now he notices how white Ned's face is. It's strange, for being so focused on him, he keeps forgetting that Ned isn't just another shiny thing to be dragged home and put on top of his pile.

He loosens the grip on Ned's neck, just a little, but gets his arm in a half-nelson instead. "I don't reckon I need your permission, Meyer." He lets out another billow of smoke through his nose, by Ned may notice that the temperature of his hand is cooling down slightly. Still hot, but not outside the realm of human possibility.

"Yeah, we're going home. That's what I came out here for in the first place. Make sure you weren't eating anyone." And if he picked up something shiny and new for his stash at the same time, hey bonus. He lets go of Ned's neck at last, but hands still firm on his arms as he gives him another shove to keep walking.