"Really? Is that what you're going to do, let all of this out and then cement it all back in again. You can still hear a heart under the floorboards, Arthur."

He twitches, just slightly, just enough and then he's leaning forward, eyes serious, voice calm, "Please don't be an idiot, darling. Trust her, she's a very capable young woman. And also, she will hunt you down and smash your head in. Or set Helios on you. Just-"

He sighs, closing his eyes for a second more before opening them again, "Don't jam all of that away again, mm? I meant what I said before, even with being an arse, you're still very special. You don't appreciate the right head-warming garments, but you're still special."