I'm sure they've called me worse behind closed doors.

[He's kidding, largely, but then after a moment he turns sort of thoughtful, still gently nudging into the fingers carding through his hair.]

...For the longest time, here, it didn't feel...right, to not have people to care about and protect. It made the distance between myself and my comrades extra painful, I think.

[He hums softly.]

What I mean is, I'm glad to have this. You. The lot of you, to be mine in some fashion. To be the anchor that tethers me and reminds me...who I am, I suppose.