[ unfortunately, there is no waver in his emotions. there's a little bloom of affection at the trust, and he continues to look at her with that same care and affection. he'll return to just giving her a hug ]

Thank you.

[ sincerely. and when he pulls back lightly, just enough to be able to see her face, he smiles down at her ]

It must be hard, to be holding onto something all alone. I don't want you to have to go through that.

So... was it self-defense that night? Or was it something else?