[Regis has always cherished those stolen moments when he can tease, laugh with, and make his friends smile. It doesn't matter that those jokes often come at his own expense. It is worth it to be reminded there are those who see him for who he really is and not just the title he holds. When he spends so much of his time as 'king' dealing with people who care nothing for the man behind the crown, it's sometimes easy to forget not everyone is like that.

This instance is really no different from those times, though Regis has to admit it has been a very long time since he can remember his normally stoic friend reacting so strongly. Has the passage of time dropped his defenses? Or, is it perhaps that he's had to be so defensive on other fronts that he no longer has the strength to keep this one as strong as he once did?

The questions are ones that he will have to ponder later for as soon as Cor makes his admission, Regis' good humor flees, allowing a more serious, though still kind, emotion to take over. He wraps his fingers around those that have come to rest on his knee and gives them a squeeze before lifting them and pressing a kiss against the knuckles.]

My dear Cor, will you ever learn that the only one who thinks you unworthy of anything is yourself? You once had so much pride in your skills. Oh, what I wouldn't give to see some of that return to you.