Byron's gaze dropped to Octavian's hand. He wanted a promise that Byron wouldn't hurt him and that was easy enough to give. He had no desire to hurt Octavian or anyone, human or mutant. There where more than enough people in the world who wanted to cause pain. Byron didn't want to be one of them. So he reached out his hand and took the other man's. His hand much rougher than Octavian's calloused from work and training. His fingers thicker. Byron was careful to not squeeze Octavian's hand in his grip. He gave it a firm shake, but made sure not to hurt him.<br/><br/>With that done Byron let go. His heart rate picked up, hammering away in his chest. He'd done that right hadn't he? He hadn't messed it up? He hadn't wanted to let go. Octavian's hand was soft and...when was the last time someone touched him on purpose? When had that touch not hurt? He couldn't remember. It was nice. So nice. Maybe if he brought something Octavian really liked he'd touch him again. Nothing big but, a pat on the shoulder or something. Some sort of contact.<br/><br/>Of course Byron would have to bring something great for Octavian. But what? He said he liked shiny things. There was a market where people sold trinkets and things maybe he could find something there. Something that Octavian would love. Iris sold pins shaped like animals and things like that. Octavian had risked his life for a deer one, maybe he'd like one he didn't have to risk being killed for he'd have to check the stalls and see all that was on offer. He had money saved that he wasn't using, maybe he could buy several things and just give Octavian one a night so he kept coming back. So he had someone to talk to. Something to look forward to.<br/><br/>Heavy foot steps broke his chain of thought and he turned to look back over his shoulder. While his expression didn't change all the color drained from his face. He turned back to Octavian, his voice low so it wouldn't be overheard, "Go, now, I'll see you tonight,"<br/><br/>Byron then spun around, using his body to block the crack so the person approaching couldn't see Octavian as he left. Only when Byron was sure Octavian was gone did he bow, one hand in a fist over his heart, "Commander Hawk, what brings you here?"<br/><br/>The burly man wasted no time in walking up to him and gripping the front of his uniform. He jerked Byron forward causing him to stumble and bringing him nose to nose with his commander, "What brings me here? I heard from Russel you had him cover your shift so you could play hooky. All changes in the guard are supposed to be approved by me and I didn't approve this! Not only that but you lied and told him you had approval,"<br/><br/>He shoved Byron away causing him to loose his footing and fall on his backside, his head hitting the wall. Not once did his expression change. Not even when he reached back and touched his head, fingertips coming away smeared with blood. Not when he looked up and saw his commander glowering down at him, the older man's face red with anger, "I don't know why you can't fallow orders! Simple orders! There are rules to keep us all safe from those unholy abominations and you feel no need to fallow them! Why is that?"<br/><br/>The commander snarled. Byron's tongue glued it's self to the roof of his mouth. What was he supposed to say? What was he supposed to say? If he called Russell a liar the commander would get even angrier at him. If he said he didn't know he'd get even more angry. He was stuck. There was no way to win, so he just stared up at him with a blank expression.<br/><br/>"No answer? I'll have Fennec cover the rest of the day shift. You'll come back here tonight after you've received your punishment,"<br/><br/>Once more Byron said nothing, he just picked up his rifle and stood, waiting for his replacement so more scars could get added to the tally on his back.