[The thrill of hearing someone say they missed him shot through him, and he could honestly leave just knowing that.

He chuckles.]

Darling, both of us have rubbish romantic histories. Or lack thereof. You really shouldn't fuss too much.

[Blindly, he reaches out to put his hand over Taryon's that rest on his thigh, so dangerously close to what ails his lower extremities.]

And of course. There's nothing else here I would rather protect.