[ he doesn't take it badly — why would he, truly? it's a good thing, her seeing her own worth and being able to acknowledge it so quickly, too; he's dealt with so many people who haven't that he's just glad. ]

... Yeah. Yeah, we do. And it is. [ he gives her a soft smile, then. ] Maybe it's not ideal, this — maybe those we've learned to rely on aren't here, and we can be a bit lost because of that, but... well. We've got each other, yeah? And that's not nothing.

[ said with his usual sincerity, of course. and perhaps then they can move onto nicer, lighter topics, like her boba tea and maybe some gossip or whatnot... but charles turns his hand a little, to grab her hand and give it a squeeze, a wordless thank you that she is here, with him. ]