"Me too," he grinned. Thinking about Zelly, perhaps a surrogate daughter (if he was old enough for that) or at least a ward he cared very much about.

And again he was taken off guard. Really he should have seen it coming this time, but her hands were so gentle and so soft.

He stared at her, was forced to, really--but he didn't mind. Her eyes were like yellow pools of warmth and staring into them (never mind what she said) was making him tear up just a little. "Thank you," he said shakily, and sniffed. "I would like to be. I want to be... very much. If you'll have me," he said, just staring.

And his eyes were swimming. But only a little.

"You're... so kind," he murmured brokenly.