[ Bastien lifts his hand to cover By's on his face, holding it in place as he turns his head to pepper his wrist and palm with pecky little kisses. Gratitude for the admittance. Apology for being the one offering a drink, often enough. He doesn't want to regret that night they got smashed together, with everything it gave him the courage and loose tongue to say out loud, but he hopes that wasn't the end of a dry spell. He's sorry if it was.

But most of all the kissing is a silly little bit of love-you-no-matter-what adoration, for balance. ]

We'll help you, [ he says, confident offering Alexandrie's services as well, ] if you ever want to try again. And you and me, we could drink less even if you don't want to stop altogether. If you want.