[He smiles and nods, not lessening his hold on him for a single moment.]
Me too, Keith.
[He runs his hand down his back and back up into his hair, curling his fingers. Cradling him close. Trying to pour all that love, all that pride, all that admiration he feels into the gesture, keeping him close.]
Me too. Always.
[He knows Keith's feelings. He can hear it now, in a way he couldn't back then-- that he can recognize now with the experience and hindsight. It pains him a little, to think he could have missed it when he was younger-- knew Keith cared, but never could fathom to what extent, or what hearing such words would mean to him, in any context.]