"I already consider you more than a friend... You're family to me... You became my family the moment you gave me a chance knowing that I wasn't particularly suited for this job. And now look at me. Without you, I wouldn't know how to make food, or clean my own home... Without you, I'd be on the street. You took a chance on me, you've done things out of care for me. I would be honored if you'd let me call you brother. I owe my life to you, don't you know that? You did more than most would do and didn't ask much of me at all."

Her smile was wan. She looked exhausted but her face was less tense than he'd been able to see since their first meeting. She was healing from some of the heaviest blows life could give someone and developing the strength to carry on from tragedy. "And if you would rather I not consider you a brother, that is alright too. But just know that you have come to mean so much to me."