The question draws Louis closer. Almost tender. The sense memory of fingers winding tighter into fabric, knuckles pressed to sternum.

Thinks of the things that could be said. Cruel, the kind that'd take the knife out of Louis' side and turn it back around. Louis is capable of it. They have nearly eighty years together, all weak points mapped. They could hurt each other. Armand could hurt him. Again.

Not a deterrent. A calculation.

In the end, Louis lets the impulse towards a sideswipe pass. Says something else.

Not the way you'd do it, no.

How had Armand defended Louis? What had they done to each other in the process of his protections?