They had not always had coversations that were stilted. The insults used to flow so very freely. Alas, those days were over and, as long as Severus maintained a facade of not being a Death Eater, unlikely to be allowed to resume. James was not hen-pecked by his wife, but he did not like to upset her, especially when she was pregnant and hormonal.
"Fair enough," he replied, although the concept of not being comfortable somewhere was entirely alien to James, who walked into every space like he owned it. There was an awkward silence. James sipped his tea.