Love isn't necessary to survive. Thank the gods for that, or he might have starved long before now. But support? Sympathy? Affection of a sort? Those are easier. Those, he feels as if he can lay hands on without burning him like coals, even if the practice of it is still far from natural to him.

He offers her an arm in turn. If she wants to be so open about it? Fine by him. But he'll do things as he knows how.

"An excellent idea. Shall we?"