The surprise on his features wasn't feigned as he looked back at her, before thoughtfulness took over. He was silent for a few seconds, pillowing a hand under his head once again, fingers of his otherhand tracing meaningless shapes on the back of hers. It was rare for her to indulge in a moment like this one, but he knew better than to remark upon it. There was only one thing to do: enjoy it.

He could've greeted her words with many an offhand joke, but he was thinking her words over instead, because she brought that out in him. Made him think about things twice. Her mind was such a sharp thing that it was only too respectful.

"Why?" he finally settled on, simply. He wasn't fishing for compliments about being capable. He was asking for her reasoning.