"Yes," he said without hesitation. His hair had grown out more since they'd last been in touching distance and covered the back of his neck completely even when he hunched over his scroll. He hardly cared how straggly it looked. "Overreacted and misunderstood."

He tucked a long strand of black behind his ear and set down his quill again.

"I had determined that the reason I was so comfortable with you was because of what and who you are." He swallowed and lowered his voice. "I wanted confirmation, not to make you think that I did not accept you."