[He smiles a little at the teasing. He could explain - he could air all the terrible things that happened between Montenagro and Venice. He could tell her that he fell in love with what was only partially a lie, that he didn't know what to do spinning away from that damage, that he didn't know how to cope and so he nearly got himself killed over and over again.

Maybe it would do her some good to hear. But it's personal, and she has something to say.

Part of him still wants to laugh. The more familiar she sounds, the more he - well, the more he wants to pull away, but at the same time, he feels he ought to help her. Maybe it's making up for being a shit interim warden. Maybe it's just exercising his compassion. It doesn't matter: he won't examine his reasons for staying here, talking to her. He rarely examines himself.

He nods slowly.]

I came back because my-- [He's never entirely sure what title to give her, and the corner of his mouth twitches.] My employer died. I all but kidnapped her to keep her safe, and she died on my estate. [In my arms, he doesn't add. He's no good at adding the sentiment.]

I've been waiting all this time for her. But if she were here, she'd have me trounced for wasting my time.

[He exhales slowly, tilting his head as he looks at her.]

I learned to live with a lot. And I was lucky. [Vesper saved herself, after all. And sometimes, you have to accept that you're not the hero. That you can't save everyone. That sometimes, people need to be their own hero, and you have to live with whether they succeed or fail.

He nods decisively.]

You'll be okay.