[He looks at Alucard a long moment, watching the tip of his claw, absorbing the thought — and then, of all things, he puts his head down with a snort that quickly turns into a laugh.]

We're fucking terrible at this, huh.

[Though he does feel a bit more at ease, now that he's said it. Something in his shoulders relaxes, just a fraction.]

How about we shower, I'll help you clean up. Then I'll have the bath after, and you can do whatever you want with me. You still get to pamper me or whatever you're going to do. But then we can be together too.