He's startled that the Bull decides to explain himself – mostly because a part of him expected the Bull to continue to mercilessly tease him. Dorian still has no idea how to take the Bull's interest, nor does he know how to process how open the other man is with it. Southerners tend to care less about these things, he knows, if they even care in the first place, but the Bull takes things a step or two further.

So the Bull flirts with Dorian. The man also flirts with everyone, and Dorian is almost certain he's overheard the man making a few offers to Cassandra. As often as Dorian enjoys flattering himself, he feels he shouldn't assume he and the Bull have anything out of the ordinary, as far as the Bull was concerned.

"How remarkably fair of you," Dorian replies a little absently – mostly for lack of anything better to say.

He's quiet for a few moments, chewing over the Bull's explanation, before he frowns. He should leave it alone, but his curiosity gets the better of him.

"But surely you can't control how everyone might feel. Telling them not to get attached is all well and good, but I can't imagine it does much for actually preventing it. What happens if a pretty little barmaid with sparkling eyes and a shapely figure tells you one day that she wants more?"