[ his frown is still in place as he meets her gaze, but it softens as she continues to speak. and he sighs to himself, reaching up to curl his fingers around her wrists, tugging himself free only to press a gentle kiss to the palm of her left hand. ]

I know.

[ wearily; to all of it. that he knows she should be here, and that she loves him, and their little family loves him, and that he needed to keep everything in perspective. and that's even without the fact that he would shrivel up and die within the week of her not being in the same country. at that thought, he tugs her into a soft kiss. ]

I love you, too. [ in a brief exhale, resting his forehead against hers briefly before he kisses her cheek, releasing her reluctantly. ] Let me change into something not suit-adjacent, and we can eat. I've delayed dinner enough with my poor attitude. Then I can tell you about how Kaz met this girl.

[ happier news, for sure. ]