[ She takes his hand, and he curls his fingers around hers, studying her for a moment before he grins, cheeky. ]

Oh, don't thank me yet. I'm almost definitely going to be an enormous pain in the ass of your Federation. Like I told you before: I'm not sure any universe is big enough for two mes.

[ He's acting the clown for them both, right now: she needs to see it, and he needs to feel it, otherwise he's going to lose the fragile hold he currently has on himself. ]

I ought to be thanking you, in advance. You may wind up regretting bringing me along.