The little effort is that additional spark. That is another form of Verity Willis magic that compels him to keep her buoyant with laughs, smiles and of course kisses. His stories aren't always so amusing or happy, they're always worth sharing. As to things he must guess, he still has never failed to be charmed by it. Or to laugh eventually.

"I'm the silent partner. Betta watch it, see?" he even attempts the accent. "You pay up, I keep you safe and you do what I tell ya. And you," he can't keep it up it's too funny. Even though the laughter jiggles his stomach.

Soft hair, soft heart. He handles them with care. When she is stays still while she comes to sit until his arms can fold around her. "I'm pretty sure I'll be back to normal. Don't worry."