"Thank you. I appreciate it, but you made it better, you know? I know we never... said anything more than friendship and sex, but... you made it a lot better by being around. And I am very glad you were there and are here, frankly."

He nods, eyes downcast for a long moment, before he raises them, and smiles at her."I like the idea of trying to make a life here, with you." He is terrified, frankly, that this will not last and he will lose her too, but he will not live without hope, and he will not let fear rule him.