Oh he’s definitely fussing, mostly through soft affectionate touches through his hair and around the lines of his face. He laughs a little too, smiling. “I was not unhappy that you failed,” he hums.

That admission gives him pause, and he leans down to press a kiss to his head. “Flatterer,” he says, though it’s impossible to hide that he’s a little surprised, his tone a little softer. He wouldn’t have thought anyone would have reason to prefer this tired and cynical version of himself.