he watches her, and he knows what it’s like to feel tension. he carries it well himself, and yet on her it looks adorable. “I’m not underestimating you, Bubbles.” the words are soft, non-threatening and he tilts his head to the side. “that being said you DO fight on the good side of things, and you are a good guy, right? it was just an observation.” he knows that he’s riling her, but he hasn’t MEANT to do such a thing. “and, for the record, I know you’re tough. I know you’re strong.” he states these facts as genuinely as possible, to let her know that he means it. “we each have our faults, but would you, for a second, not think of it as black and white? here here, if I promise to stop calling you a goody two shoes, you stop thinking I’m here to fight you.”