Chéri was a contrarian sometimes and they were out of mere spite too, on occasion, but they weren’t stupid and didn’t want to suffer. They just wanted some form of weapon against what they perceived as free cruelty towards them. Why did everyone have to pity them? Where were all these pious people when they were starving? They were only there when Chéri had something to offer. It was all hypocrisy, really. Everything came to a price. They wondered what was the doctor’s price.

Chéri didn’t move a muscle while receiving the suture. They changed their breathing, released the tension, closed their eyes, but didn’t move otherwise. They were ready. And they were patient. Chéri nodded when Tristan announced it was done. Chéri shook their head.

“It was but a pinch,” they reassured Tristan, with small, warm smile. They could do much better, so this ought to be at least partially sincere.