Elliot laughed breathily, "I'm glad too, Nathaniel. So very glad. I would have never wanted to leave. Out of respect for you? Of course I would. But... I don't want anyone to replace me," he huffed, looking at Nathaniel when the human pulled back slightly.
"There's still so much to learn," he nodded in agreement. And then there was that feeling again, the feeling that they were way too close again, but Elliot ignored it. Despite the fact that Nathaniel's words sounded oddly affectionate, Elliot wouldn't read into them. Not this time.