[ ah... she looks away!! he finds that kind of cute, actually. but there's something about how she wants nothing in return that alarms him, because for all her sincerity, and her childishness that he finds endearing... she's still human. and if there's anything that his experiences have taught him, it's that humans always want something. ]

For me?

[ there's a pause, as his expression changes into something unreadable, before he breaks into another smile. ]

No, no — you should at least let me get you something! It doesn't have to be too expensive, either.

[ but as much as he's trying, it's obvious that he's, well, trying; maybe he's smiling too brightly, or his tone is just a bit more cheerful than it really has to sound, and after today's events, there's no point in pushing himself any further than he needs to. so he gives up his brief ruse, before explaining: ]

You see, when humans offer to do things for me without asking for anything in return, I feel as if they're lying to me.

I'm a valued blade — it's not uncommon of them to want to win over my favor somehow, because they have hidden motives. It doesn't have anything to do with you personally, but it's hard to unlearn something that you've learned for centuries.

So even if it's just a small gesture, please let me do something for you, too.