"Oh, an honest thief, are you?" she says, amusement coloring every syllable, and a grin on her lips to match. She can understand his point when comparing himself to a mercher of Ketterdam, though there are arguments she could make that people branch out in all sorts of forms of employment for all sorts of reasons. But it isn't really that important, and she can't begrudge him his point all the same.

She hates it when he looks at her like that. Not because it's uncomfortable, but it's so hard to read him when he's like this. She squints at him, playful in manner but still true to trying to figure out what he's thinking.

And then his shoes and his socks are set aside and she's grinning, despite the incredulous look on her face as he sets about actually putting his feet in the water. What a ridiculous boy he is, but it's good. Steps in better directions, no matter how small are still steps.

"You needn't rush it, for my sake, you know..." As much as she does want that, she understands now why he constructed so many walls between himself and the rest of the world in a way she didn't before. He iss making moves to remove layers, physically and emotionally, and she knows it's a lot to ask. But every new piece he hands to her is a choice specifically being made toward what she had asked of him. No armor, or no her.

Still. He planted the idea in her mind when it wasn't there before, and there's a flutter of nerves in her chest. Her eyes stay on his face and her tongue darts out across her lips in anticipation. Was he really going to kiss her? She isn't sure, but he'll have to make that move himself- she's a little gunshy after the last time, sue her.