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]

He cares about safety.

[ It's not (intentionally) cruel or dismissive. It comes from a real, rather melancholy belief. ]

I can afford him some protection for the moment. He wants to preserve that.

[cozen]

[ The barest shake of Bastien's head. ]

He's been working hard for us without incident for a long time. He has other friends now. He's not in danger—not more than any of us. He cares about you.

[bouchonne]

[ By opens his mouth to protest - and then blows out a frustrated little breath. He's frustrated at himself, it should be noted. ]

I - would prefer, I think, if it were using me, instead. If you're right, then it'll make it worse still when I fail him.

[cozen]

You are not going to fail him. I meant it—if we ever go, we can take him with us. As long as he does not try to call me dad.

[ Anyone else, he'd have feigned defaulting to papa. ]

You—you know, that's between you and him.

[bouchonne]

[ The idea of Benedict calling Bastien dad is horrifying enough to pull Byerly a bit out of his sulk - at least enough to pull a face. ]

What's between me and him?

[cozen]

[ Bastien keeps a very straight face, unnecessarily. ]

Whether he calls you dad.

[bouchonne]

Bastien -

[ Byerly has no words for how horrifying this prospect is. So he simply scowls, and fishes a bit of lemon out of his water, and hucks that lemon straight at Bastien's face. ]

[cozen]

[ Bastien grins before he throws it, and while he throws it, and after it’s stuck wetly and pulpily to his cheek.

But he doesn’t laugh, and once he’s peeled the lemon off and dropped it into his own cup, the grin goes away. ]

They are going to be harder on you than I was.

[bouchonne]

[ Any amusement/horror drops away. ]

I know.

[cozen]

How are you going to handle it?

[bouchonne]

[ He sighs a little more. ]

Stoically. I suppose.