He hadn't stood up. He had simply moved, which represented a different action—the specific movement of someone whose gap between noticing and responding is so small that it remains unclear to others.
His hand went up and grabbed Theo's wrist just before the swing finished. The grip he used wasn't aggressive, but it was strong enough that it wouldn't hurt unless the person being held pulled against it.
"Don't you fucking touch me!" Theo pulled against it.
But Rex held it.
They both stood there for one second, then two seconds. Theo's arm was still in the air between them, and Rex's face showed nothing but the focused attention of someone who was watching a situation and hadn't yet decided it needed more than what he was already doing.
'This guy gets easily ragebaited, and it's entertaining to watch him react like that all of a sudden.' Rex wore a smug smile as he looked at Theo.
Diana had not moved from her seat.
