[ Bastien hums. He is not sure he understands, himself. But he tries: ]

I don’t know. I’ve shared a bed with men before.

[ He pulls his cheek away from By’s shoulder to look at him, face a pantomime of someone trying to inspire jealousy. ]

A lot of men. I mean, so many.

[ As if By hasn’t shared with more. ]

But never a dog. Maybe it was reflexive, or—I don’t know. Orlesian snottiness. Kaitenese snottiness? Maybe it was cultural, for my parents. Maybe no one there allows animals in their houses. I don’t know.