"Before I came here... I never had to fight anything before." Well, he'd had a bit of a confrontation once, but for the most part, combat was completely foreign to him. "...I...

"I know I was helpless, but... I can't just sit still... and I can't stand by while something is happening... not if I might be able to help... even a little."

He closed his eyes at the nuzzling. He... he really liked it...

"Were--" The was some hesitance. "...Were you... really worried about me?"