To say that he's surprised to get a straight answer is an understatement, but he doesn't move despite it but for another swipe of his hands before he loosely clasps them, thinks on how to proceed with a genuine response. It's only fair.

It's - also kind of a minefield, kind of, potentially, overbearing - but if it works it might pay off for both of them.

Still, he doesn't look over as he proposes it.

"Would you if... someone else was there?" Of course he means him, though he figures that's not a thing he needs to state outright.