"tease you? oh, i would never!" daemian feigns offense, letting out a dramatic gasp at her accusations. "but you are just so cute when you act all polite, who am i to not wish to see that?" through the jesting, there is a tidal wave of fondness leaking through his tone. he could tell himself that he missed nothing when he had chosen to travel across the sea, to live a life away from the one he was born into, but he knows that would be a lie. sees that lie across from him now, a woman that had been an important part of his life and one he had a hard time of letting go of. even now, as he stands before her, he does not let go — cannot bring himself to let go — because that would mean either of them would eventually leave. "handsome? the highest honor then from you, the most beautiful in the realm." though it sounds like a jest, it truly is not and daemian could only hope that through the years he had spend inside of a shell, that rosamund could see past it. "i am glad to see you and that you are well, i have only wished for it."
done so as he had sent the gifts without a name attached, hoping that she would know. through the little lion figurine, the dried rose, even a satchel of the finest silks could he get his hands on. all an ode to her, a remembrance of their childhood together. "you could never be a memory best left in the past." it breaks his heart to believe she would have thought that, that the time he spent running about with the lannister children — with her — could be something he wished to forget.
perhaps that is why he holds her tighter, but not tight enough to hurt. just enough that she would know he was still there and was not to go anywhere, that now that he was back within westeros, she would be someone he would not let anything happen to — like it had been in their youth. the warmth he feels only intensifies with her hand at his heart, something that had been blockaded in heavy stone, but something that she could easily break through. "i will be sure to remember that, little lion, for i could never believe you to be frail. it is no matter that your body fights sickness, you will always be brave to me, the bravest i know." he leans in place a gentle kiss upon her cheek before he is taking a step back, putting space between them, but still able to extend his arm to her. "may i treat you to some sweetmeats, my dear?"