[ Oh, not embarrassment. But power, yes. Control, yes. Byerly is furious. He is - and this is a strange feeling for him, because he hasn't given anyone the tools to hurt him in years - He is hurt. What Miles did in there, the way he allied himself...That hurt. The way he scorns that Sonia could possibly like him...that hurts. The contempt he has for Byerly, after By was a stupid drunken fucking fool who was honest with him, after By told him the truth -

Well. What By wants isn't embarrassment. It's a hard shattering blow to Miles' precious fucking Old Vor pride. He is not attracted to Miles, but the thought of fucking him into bisexuality, the thought of shattering that little conservative part of the fucker's identity, thrills him more than sexual attraction ever could. Sexual attraction, after all, is banal. Commonplace. A little piece of psychic destruction, on the other hand...That sounds truly delicious. ]

Why not?

[ By's hand comes up, brushes lightly against Miles' neck. It tickles. It thrills. ]

Am I not tall enough for you? That's what they say - that you like them tall. I think I probably satisfy in that regard. You like them dark-haired, too, and I have that. What more do you want?

[ He laughs. It's low and throaty. Velvety. Warmly teasing. ]

How long has it been? You must be as frustrated as I am. It would be good to feel a warm body, don't you think?