He missed by a mile, so Dorian teased his finger down Cole's cheek in retaliation. He sighed pensively.

"No, it is not a competition. It is merely ... a vulnerability. Such feelings between two men where I come from, it's unheard of. Such alliances are for pleasure only, not for feelings. To leave myself open to feeling something like this when you don't feel the same - you have power over me."

One corner of his mouth twisted, "I just wish we were on equal footing here -- but alas. That is never the way of Dorian Pavus. Ah well, at least I am consistent in making things harder on myself."