"I'm supposed to be healed already," Ryouma muttered. He reached back, bracing himself against the bench, and shoved himself up to sit on its padded surface instead of on the floor. His arms still trembled with weakness, but at least he didn't have to crane his neck to look up anymore. "Got healed in the field, apparently, and next time I think I'll take the slow death. Might hurt less."

That was supposed to provoke a laugh. It got a very slight quirk of that if-you-think-it's-funny smile, instead. Well, it hadn't been much of a joke. But the kid hadn't pulled back his proffered hand, either. That had to be worth some points.

Except... "Cough drops?" Ryouma shot the kid a dubious glance, but tried one of the pale amber ovals anyway. It seeped a slow sweetness onto his tongue. He grinned in delight. "Candy! You're my new favorite. No one's ever rescued me with candy, before."