[ His gaze narrows as she tries to laugh that off and his thumb and forefinger tighten against her chin for a moment as he narrows his gaze at her. ]

Don’t do that.

[ It’s not sharp, the chiding, but there is an edge to it, layered beneath the uncommonly serious tone he utters it in. ]

I can count on one hand the times I can recall you being exasperating enough that I would consider you taking advantage and almost all of them happened when we were back in school when you were busy foisting off your assigned chores on the closest available target. That was a long time ago, Hilda.

You are not a burden and I’m not even sure why you would think you are. In what ways do you think you’ve taken advantage of me here?