L watched Dorian closely, realizing that his own shoulders were tensed. He relaxed them. He had nothing to fear from Dorian, after all... but he felt like his entire existence had been swallowed by a massive storm cloud that didn't allow him to say anything hopeful whatsoever.
"Sorry, Dorian," he said quietly. "You're right. Trust is very, very hard. I know that I can like you, and I do like you. Yes... friends." he looked pointedly away from Dorian, but stiffly offered him his right hand.