[ He does indeed have a habit of saying things as they come and perhaps not always thinking about what's actually been said, or how absurd, weird, ill-timed or insert other adjective here it may be. ]

— I am? [ Genuine question. He knew, but didn't know. Wanted to be sure of her footing, but lacking the awareness of boundaries. But since she's said it, he respectfully steps back a little, giving her more space. ] I am, sorry! Add to that, did you know the average and most widely accepted range of space between two people who aren't friends or family is 120-360 centimeters? I was actually only 60 centimeters apart from you, I hadn't realized. Far too close! Absolutely chuffed you said something.

[ May he earn that 60 centimeters of distance one day, he hopes. He's also probably more exuberant than he needs to be, rattling off figures like that. But the littlest things thrill him. He's still going to worry, but he's also already focused on their work at the top of the tree though, now they've nearly made it, and he stays near but not too near just in case until she's safely at the top. ]

I do hope we're able to help those dragons. I always hope.