[His smile warms a bit, less uncertain, less apologetic.]

You're... really not what I thought you were. [He pulls one of his hands out of the hold to wave it a bit defensively.] Sorry! I like guys like you, so I guess it's a darn good thing you're saying this... For me, anyway.

[Closing his eyes for another moment, as his hand ends up brushing the back of his fingers over Gentaro's cheek, he thinks about what to say next. It's pretty simple.]

Thanks. I mean it. Maybe I oughta... think about making friends sometimes, huh?