Devero's eyes dart back to Koumyou, and then away again. He hunches a little, as if wanting an intimate relationship is shameful. "I-- I'm needy," he says. How often has Valdana told him that? "I'm sorry. I wouldn't expect anything of you, if that's not what you're looking for. Sex isn't just for partners and partners don't have to have sex to be but I-- but--"

He shrinks even further, fingers digging into his knees. His voice is very small when he says, "It'd be nice to have both."