Noctisardor Bypass creature comfort

Abel prepared himself for the inevitable rejection. An apology was at the tip of his tongue and he was ready to leave and try to forget this plan entirely.
Laurel’s response completely took him by surprise. She was unenthusiastic, but that hardly mattered to him. She said yes, and he could hardly believe it.
Really? Abel stared at her for a moment, wide eyed. Then he laughed weakly, cracked a smile.
He jumped away from the mouth of the den and pranced towards the river. He looked over his shoulder briefly and stated, Um, it’s - it’s over here. I can show you, And he was off again with a wagging tail and a smile on his face.