[clive should still be what she focuses on, but of course kiera locks onto the idea of luca in a relationship or anything similar with someone who would hurt him. they're no stranger to pain being a kink, but after having heard and all but witnessed luca's healing and resurrection... they're fully aware that "carved up and bloody" is not an exaggeration. and most likely not for pleasure, either, but for the exact sense of low self-worth he's displaying right now.

it takes them a long moment of staring off, fingers gripping the bar until their knuckles blanch, before they relax once more with one of their all too convincing false smiles.]

Too bad you're here now!

[another shot, because they can, and because fuck this.]

Sure, you know. Those aren't things you are, they're things you choose to do. And I've seen you choose them, time and again. You've chosen to do "good," talking down our enemy rather than allow our allies to slay her. You've treated me with kindness, welcoming me back into your graces rather than pushing me away -- which you'd be well within your rights to do, given how I've treated you. You're gentle each day with Polaris, with our younger residents.

You're a smart man, Luca. I'm sure you'll think of ways you can apply these things to a... partner. [for his sake, they don't say that word with any sort of derision, as they normally would.]