[ Telltale color floods his cheeks at her touch, but he had offered his hand for a purpose, for support, a show of solidarity. His fingers curl around her and she squeezes them, remarkably strong for how weak and feeble he has been lately. ]

But that...doesn't make what you're doing any less amazing. If anything, it makes it more amazing, because even though you're afraid, you keep fighting for us, all on your own.

[ In the back of his mind, he wonders...if this was how it was for Lunafreya. He never knew her personally, only knew her through her letter and her public appearances and her correspondence with Noct, but he...wouldn't be surprised if it was similar for her. If she feared that what she was doing was not enough, that she wouldn't be able to heal those afflicted by the Starscourge. But even so, she'd kept fighting to the bitter end. She'd given the ring to Noctis. If not for her, none of them would have made it past Altissia. ]

I've been afraid...for most of my life. To be honest, I...think most people are. But that doesn't stop people like us, does it? We keep going, even when things get as bad as they can get.

[ It feels so bold, to include himself in this group, but if he wants her to acknowledge her value in this, then he must attempt to do so, too.

His voice drops, quiet and bashful, but no less sincere. ]

I...I've never met anyone like you before, Alisaie.