[ Something warms unexpectedly in his chest at that. Just that small reassurance of someone actually wanting to see him, to be around him. It's something so easy to take for granted until you've been without it. Trying to pick through his words and decide what to say in return (while, meanwhile, that mountain grinds in his ribcage), he settles on: ]

I could make an exception for you.

[ a beat, then: ] And, I mean. You've got a pretty nice face I wouldn't mind looking at, either.

[ Uggghhhhh, Buck, why you gotta be such a dork— ]