contact part deux

[bouchonne]

if this were modern times byerly would probably make you listen to total eclipse of the heart before you were able to leave a message

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[bouchonne]

"With whom?"

[keenly]

Colin considers briefly. At once, three things come to mind: Bene works for Byerly, Bene is fussy about who knows he's into men, and Bene's parents are insane so that fussiness likely runs very deep.

"Best not to say," he says gently. "But it's a very casual arrangement."

[bouchonne]

"What," Byerly says, even though he knows full well who Colin is sleeping with, "afraid I'll gossip?"

[keenly]

"It just isn't appropriate for me to say," Colin says with a shrug. "Though you can probably figure it out. I don't have that many friends."

[bouchonne]

"What makes it inappropriate?"

[keenly]

"They're fussy about people knowing."

And you're his boss.

[bouchonne]

"Yes, but I'm hardly normal people."

[keenly]

"But I am. Achingly normal. So even if you can listen, I can't say it. I've got to follow the rules."

[bouchonne]

"Fine, fine," he pouts, though inwardly he approves. If they'll tell you others' secrets, they'll tell others your secrets, after all.

"At least tell me whether it's with a man or a woman."

[keenly]

"Man." That much is harmless enough to say. "Don't get me wrong, I do like women, it just hasn't...happened yet."

A shrug.

[bouchonne]

"What, at all? Ever?"

[keenly]

"I got close a couple times, but no. Not with anyone till this fellow."