You could try, at least; I would not tell you no.

[ He says that easily and honestly enough. No matter what the situation, he is grateful that anyone would care enough to want to look after him -- the fact that it's Nikolas, specifically, is even more of a thrill, private as it is.

And when Nikolas looks at him, he can almost convince himself that Nikolas feels the same. It's a wistful feeling, but for once, not a bad one. ]

I've heard often enough from Ophelia that I am very bad at such things.