[Seeing her was good, better than he should have been allowed, and for all the lying that he had done over the past months, he was glad to see her, and he was glad to have her still on his side, regardless of everything else. So the smile that he offered her was true, and as she rushed to his side, he lifted a hand to touch her arm, a point of contact that he longed for.]
I'm feeling much better than I look, so don't be alarmed. [There's a pause, appraising her for a moment.] They didn't give you any trouble, did they? Because of who I am?