[Well that certainly sounds like him, is exactly what he's sure he'd say if she were to suggest he contract with her now, but it's all still too dizzying and strange to really think about, for him to want to dwell on. Later. He'll think about it later, and whilst he's filled with worry and concern for the things she may have had to do here, for the things she may have been subjected to that don't even bear thinking about (and he should have been here shouldn't he, to watch over her and look after her and take her worries onto himself, bear them for her), for the moment he decides to pick and choose what he attends to.

Because of course he knows that wide-eyed look, and the way she beams up at him as she talks suffuses his chest with a deep enduring warmth that has him smiling back at her regardless of all the ugly turmoil and confusion. She looks happy, and that counts for something, doesn't it?

Counts for a lot.

He beams back at her, and there's something in his face that speaks of pride, crowding out at least some of his sharper fears for her.]

Pasha, look at you! Doing so well without me. So you have a new lover and your own business? And a bath house, no less. I'd like to see it. It sounds like a piece of home.