[ His brows inched towards his hairline, and his mouth pursed thoughtfully while he considered the other man, cradling the pale dragon mutely while he listened. ]

Trust me when I say I'm remarkably resilient. And--

[ It's clear by his expression that he's curious. Like a cat watching a pulled string, trying to decide if it was worth batting after. He set his shoulders. ]

I hadn't meant that you would join in on that scheme... No; I'm unfit for the public eye. I need... a partner, someone who can be the respectable face of an understanding. But I won't... wouldn't turn down sound advice.

How would you do it?