[ Her eyes widen and she too jolts, startled by the sudden movement, and definitely not expecting that kind of reaction out of him. Not when she only meant what she said half-heartedly. ]

Dude, it was a joke! Sorry.

[ Not to self: don't ever joke about being a soulless husk again. That's not cool. ]

You didn't-- you didn't hurt me, you know. It would suck if you had to leave but like I said, I get it. You got shit to do. Actually... I really admire that. Your dedication, I mean.