[Finding himself at yet another loss for words, Keith stares at Cian again, feeling annoyed that he doesn't really know how to feel about this situation. It takes him another second to remember he's still holding onto her wrist, but he lets go immediately when it does finally occur to him to do that.]

I -- it wasn't some... [Keith trails off, inexplicably flustered. Why's he protesting this, what is there to protest other than the fact that Cian's gratitude is massively unnecessary here. He drops eye contact, trying recover. People and their feelings are just.. challenging to navigate. Somehow it'd been easier when he thought he'd messed up again -- at least he knew how to react to that.

Finally, he just slumps a little in his chair, one elbow on the table, chin resting on his hand as he turns his face to the side, looking more to the left of her than looking at her directly.]

You don't owe me an apology either.

Despite his body language, his tone comes across resigned rather than his usual baseline grumping. It's -- on some level, the fact that something this normal for people can get him so drained so quickly really drives home how alienating people can be. There's something punny and ironic about that coming from a half alien.]

Or your thanks. I just said something obvious is all.