All right. I'll make an effort on that end, then. [It is somewhat difficult when the tripwires sometimes feel like they're everywhere and there for his stumbling over, but it's a reasonable request for Lucifer to make.]

Then if we can't find a comparison there, perhaps you'll understand the desire to stand up for myself.

[That gets a small, libidinous smirk in turn.] No? Well, it wouldn't make sense if he did, anyway. Balthazar isn't the prince.

[Dorian has no idea what to do with the idea of being drawn gently into someone's family like this, so he'll let that comment sit for now with a small, acknowledging nod. It will take time to adjust to the idea of not being so completely isolated, but it isn't something that can't eventually happen, he's sure.]