[He brings out everyone's soft sides, so you can look forward to that.]

[His smile is still the slightest bit tense as he watches her fluff Takeo's feathers with her thumbs, and his shoulders go a bit stiff.]

...I'm sure we could find another one of those pies somewhere. Surely people struggle to win them over often enough that you're allotted more than just one? [Is he avoiding the dependable and responsible comment? Quite possibly.]