[He just smiles wryly at her and her little nudge, knowing what she's implying.]

I've come to make exceptions... With you as a special favorite.

[It's made special because of her regardless and he nudges her a little right back. And as he feels Briallen shyly nudging up against his leg, he smiles warmly, glad to be able to have her by his side again as he gently pets her head.]

But... It does feel a little strange as I never could have imagined something like this not that long ago.

[To have someone he's pledged his life to and be surrounded by those he loves. And he doesn't mean just this moment, but.... Everything. Perhaps he should be used to it by now but every now and then he's reminded how it really wasn't that long ago that things started changing for him.]