[Relaxing, Cliff found a smile spreading on his lips despite himself.]

Then I'm honored. There can't be that many people who are allowed to get this close to the handsome and dashing Okita Souji.

[It was a small joke, but one that felt necessary at that point. There was so much that needed to be said...

But he had Souji, hot food, and his focus was a little better now. This was more than he had hoped for.]