[ There's lingering concern in her eyes even as he seems to perk up, and it's a little bittersweet to see how much he does. She's spent such a long time learning to live with undesirable outcomes, and yet-- the idea of suggesting he look at things that way too turns her stomach. No, he's always been the optimistic one, and it feels as though some great and terrible imbalance in the universe has been righted as he seems to cheer up. ]

[ So despite herself, she musters a hint of a smile in return. There's a certain wryness coupled with a faint sort of-- sadness, almost, but it's still a smile. ]

I hope so.

[ And she really does. That last bit, though - most of the complicated things she's feeling get replaced with other complicated but slightly less unpleasant things. It's touching, of course, that he would say that, and she knows that he means it. (Because... when doesn't he mean it?) Her breath catches in an almost-laugh, brows drawing together in spite of the lingering upturn at her mouth. ]

I'm not sure I understand why. But... knowing you makes me happy, too. You're always so kind, and so brave, and so determined. Someone like you--... you deserve the chance to have a good life.

[ So as far as she's concerned, he's already earned it. ]