[He smiles. It's a bit of a relief to hear she agrees -- and, of course, that she piles him with compliments in a way that are so terribly earnest (and he so vulnerable) that he even feels the tips of his ears heat, like he's a boy again.]

You think me vivacious? [He jokes, but it's the first bit of humour that isn't self-deprecating he's found for weeks. Gods, of course she would bring it out of him. He only hadn't wanted to burden her... especially when she had gone through the same as him.

When the wound isn't physical, it feels so much more complicated to deal with.

If he wasn't covered in dust, he would kiss her for it. And he is the wordsmith?] Thank you, Nadine. That does help. [He means it. And that promise of a future -- that's what he wants the most. To have it in the first place.]

You shouldn't! However, I'm quite aware saying it won't stop you. Here. [If she's going to offer; he's done the same in her house, and her office(s). He hands her a towel, wet from the sink, but clean.] You were the same, you know. You were so much you, I instantly recognized you. And we were us -- albeit a bit hornier, with more exhibitionism, but I hardly count that as a bad thing.