At her response, he's not sure if they'd both got their lines crossed or what, but he can't find a point to start picking it apart. Does it really matter anyway? When she pinches his chin, like a schoolteacher favoring a student, he figures it doesn't.

He offers a small smile, but shakes his head, taking her hand and smoothing her fingers flat on the book.

"Nah, I'm-- I'm alright."

It's obvious he wants to say something else, but he hesitates for a second or two.

"You just said that I-- I make you feel vulnerable? Is that a-- bad thing?"