It's tempting to read more into that, and it would be all the more tempting if he'd only connected to Gustavain. There are still moments like this one where he wonders what it would be like to take the playing out of it and actually abscond with the Warrior of Light, keep him somewhere where he couldn't get caught up in the world's petty troubles and occupy him enough for him to not realize he missed it. He's fairly certain he could, but the desire is usually fleeting these days. There are others he would miss too.

But he can claim without that, and he does, working a slow mark into Gustavain's shoulder as he massages his hand, working the muscles grown tight from carrying weapon after weapon. "Much easier," he agrees, grinning down at him, "Good thing I seem to have convinced you."