That just pulls more laughter out of him, loud enough to fill the room. And even if she won't throw herself at him, he's happy to wrap her up in a true hug, laughing more with his kiss. Dramatic and brassy and over the top, he has the best friends.

Her question just leads to further grinning, adjusting his/her hat. "It really was. I had to come back a whole half-day early or risk infecting all the new firsties with my grumpiness. Of course, if you really wanted to improve my travels, you'd have something fascinating waiting for me in all those papers. So I don't have to amuse myself with term papers in my very first week back."