They both most definitely weren't children anymore. He could recognize and acknowledge the fact. At his advanced age, one had to be able to roll with that kind of change, honestly, and he could see the children they'd been in their faces still, but they were definitely grown up. He felt a surge of love and affection in his heart.
Though Benji was most definitely taller than him now by several inches, Aly had no problem wrapping his arms around the wizard and hugging him tightly. His eyes closed very briefly as he just relished the moment, one that he hadn't ever been certain would actually come o pass until recently.
"Of course I missed you too, Benji," the djinn said promptly. He pulled back just enough that he could press his hands to Benji's cheeks -- he would always be Benji to him, he couldn't help it, just like Emilia was Mimi or Mimi-my-Lili, or other such flowery names he'd given to both of them over the course of their childhoods. "And barring any unforeseen complications out of my control, I am back for now, yes."