So damn stable. A castle wall! I throw off my cap n' gown, then... then I let 'em have it. On the damn day, if it gets down to it. Like...

[Hands lowered, fists atop the table. Conviction steeled his gaze, yet there was nothing cold in it. There never seemed to be, whenever he turned his eyes on her.]

I got a degree, but there's still so much I gotta learn. What I know like the back of my hand is how complete I feel, but there's somethin' missing. One more piece of the puzzle. One of many more that I can't n' won't solve alone. Not after what ya taught me.

...Make me the happiest man in the world.



[Then his features softened.]

Y'know, like that. Maybe it'll sound better eventually, I dunno...