I did. [ She says so brightly enough for all her remaining softness, prepared this time for his reaction to the gesture. Nodding her approval, ]

Thank you. It's much better to see you smiling.

[ Ah, but she remains the honest creature that she is, and she has yet to tell him everything she ought to. So after a moment she sobers, though not by much; placid, she adds off-handedly, ]

While we're on the subject, I should probably tell you-- you're... not the only one who's been having those sorts of dreams lately.