As worn out as he feels, it's not hard to smile back at the turnaround. That he swiftly helped her duck around her sadness makes him a little bit proud of himself. He'll keep that hidden, though.

"If Winter didn't do me the kindness of fixing me up every year I'd certainly be in a much worse state." There's a moment, just a flash, where he feels the vivid pang on loss and it shows, but he's forcing a laugh just as quickly. He pats his stomach and scratches the tangle on his chin. "A bigger belly, for a start, and greyer hair." Those wouldn't be the most striking differences, but they're much easier to laugh at.