And... on the off chance there's anything you want to do for me, you can always talk to me first, too. Then we'll be a real team, right? Partners who work together, not against each other.

[Even if he made it clear there's nothing he wants or expects from her, maybe an arragement like that will help her feel more like they're on an even footing, and not like she owes him anything.

He returns to petting her mane in slow, gentle touches.]