[ Bastien watches him. His averted eyes. The reluctance in his mouth. It’s been four years—the entirety of the time they’ve been together and then some—and, ]
I don’t want to talk you into it.
[ He takes By’s chin in his hand and rubs his thumb against the hair there. He doesn’t try to make him look. ]
You can’t let me talk you into it. I want you to be free of it, [ he’s already said, and explained his selfish reasons. A place in Lowtown, among people who like them. No ridiculous midnight curfews. Missions abroad. ] I’d love it if you were free of it. We could—
[ Be selfish. But also not be selfish. Much less of a scandal if Riftwatch Diplomats Numbers 4 and 5 are caught interfering in things that are not generally considered Riftwatch’s business.
But he only smiles. A little interested, and more reserved. Left to his own devices, without begging, he doesn’t really think By will do it. ]
no subject
I don’t want to talk you into it.
[ He takes By’s chin in his hand and rubs his thumb against the hair there. He doesn’t try to make him look. ]
You can’t let me talk you into it. I want you to be free of it, [ he’s already said, and explained his selfish reasons. A place in Lowtown, among people who like them. No ridiculous midnight curfews. Missions abroad. ] I’d love it if you were free of it. We could—
[ Be selfish. But also not be selfish. Much less of a scandal if Riftwatch Diplomats Numbers 4 and 5 are caught interfering in things that are not generally considered Riftwatch’s business.
But he only smiles. A little interested, and more reserved. Left to his own devices, without begging, he doesn’t really think By will do it. ]