[ Bastien’s expression softens as he experiences the now-familiar urge to find a way to swing back through time and rescue the gap-toothed, tattered, sweet little boy Byerly used to be, or the gangly, wily teen Bastien can imagine so well as a bridge between that boy and this man. Kids drink; none of them should be drinking for relief.

But the next bit brings his smile back. ]

Not all of your time.

[ He purrs it, hooking his foot against By’s leg to pull it a tad closer, though it’s only so sexy when he’s also looking cross-eyed at the finger on his nose. ]

But that could be good. Right? You’re good at it. And you seemed to have fun with the Commander, that time.