She does deserve it. He lingers close, his big ol' nose brushing hers, and he gets his other hand up to pet her hair out of her face. She's pretty and that's always a thought floating around his hindbrain when he looks at her, no matter what else he's doing or what might be on his mind, but up close he can savour that particular American beauty of hers, those vivid blue eyes. He loves seeing her happy, too, that particular shamelessness of a good kiss, for once.

"I should be the one thanking you," he rumbles, and then he kisses her again.