Bramblepoint the good ol' rock 'n roll roadshow

The surprise did show on his face, and it pulled at Acheron's protective streak for reasons he couldn't really figure out. It was as if his subconscious was registering something his conscious mind hadn't yet processed. And the choked answer he received only made things more confusing. 

So they were both new at this; something about that made him appreciate this whole thing even more. He beamed up at Tuvaq. I'm glad too, he assured him. This more than he even could have hoped for. The thought of leaving had been drifting around in his thoughts for a while now, but he had never anticipated having someone with him once he left home; it made things seem less overwhelming. 

His expression shifted, though, to concern again as he took the conversation back some. Why did you seem surprised that I want to know if I'm hurting you or making you uncomfortable? he bluntly asked. No sense in keeping it to himself and overthinking it to pieces.