Severus lets that hang for a while, smoking; he doesn't blow rings, but apparently the suggestion of magic manages to make an exhale look slightly like a rune, for a half a heartbeat. It's almost idle.

Then- "This lukewarm talk is pointless." Half and half, not pretending they don't have a thousand grievances and regrets, but not playing hardball, either. They both know it.

"It's making me sound as old as you." So apparently the alternative is sass.