[ His nod is a little awkward. The way he glances at Bastien, then away again, the way he starts shredding one of the buns - there's something nearly shy about it. ]

Mm. For a number of years, it's been a tool for manipulation. For working a target. I didn't want that to be what it was between us.

[ A hesitation - another glance over - and then a careful: ]

Alexandrie, too. I avoided anything physical for quite some time. Though I made quite a muddle of explaining that to her.