[He glances up to meet her eyes as she shifts closer, surprised initially, though he knows he shouldn't be. Of course her concern would be for him rather than the expectations on his shoulders. She's always been kinder to him than he is to himself.

After a second or two, he musters a smile, shaking his head again.]

I promise. Or- I'll try not to, at least. I don't really know what to expect. Even so, I... I wanna give it a shot.

[He owes the world - and to some extent, himself - at least that much.]

We can start with one. We'll see what happens after that.