[ The rejection ought to seethe irritation through his veins. Instead, his cackling laughter chokes off into a rasping wheeze, lungs seizing with their desperate attempts to draw enough breath for more. ]

Your chambers? Little beast, look around you! I ought to be asking how a creature like you found himself in mine.

[ With the weight of his hand still at Eridanus' hip, it's Lucius' turn to draw himself up. His other hand finds Eridanus' jaw as he moves; despite his barb, that Eridanus ought to confirm his surroundings before he speaks, he'll find it hard to do so as Lucius' fingers lock around his jawline and hold him still. He wants a better look at the would-be consort in his bed—and so he takes it, drawing his face close until little more than his own scarred visage occupies Eridanus' field of view.

It is, without a doubt, Eridanus—only rendered sickeningly soft, the weathering and scars that ought to strengthen his features absent. Lucius clicks his tongue, evidently unimpressed by what he sees. ]

I wonder how long I'll be stuck with you. Well, no matter! [ His tone suddenly buoys again, and that same grip shoves Eridanus back down to the sheets. ] Ask anyone — I always make the best of things.