[ Bastien could keep a straight, solemn face, of course. But as silly as it obviously all is, it still twinges to see Byerly cry, so for a moment he cracks and grins in a quick burst. The same impulse that makes some people laugh during the tensest part of a scary story. A reminder it isn't real.

But then he gathers his face back into the correct position, tous vite, and reaches up to wipe one of those tears with his thumb. ]

Don't cry, darling. It will be alright. I'll grow it back as quick as I can, you'll see, and until then... I'll paint one on every morning.