[ It's odd how he... he actually doesn't have a comeback to that. At least not a witty one, nor a response that won't be spilling secrets that are strictly his to keep.

So he'll stick to the parts that ring true: ] We'd just like you safe.

[ Because he's fond of you. He likes that it's easy -- this friendship, the exchanges. He likes that whenever things seem to escalate to awkward fast, the both of you can laugh about it after. ]

I guess... if you feel uncomfortable with us having you over, I don't want to force the issue.