"Stay here, then," suggested Malachi with a dip of his head. It was far warmer by the fire, and more comfortable too, if that was what the weary youth was worried about. It was no inconvenience to bring whatever food he found here, and he hoped as much was clear.

With a swift pivot, he made to leave the room and find the aforementioned food -- until Chéri's voice suspended him, caught within the open doorway. A few seconds passed as Malachi, suddenly startled, deciphered the question. A few seconds to register that what he had heard--

Are you going to eat with me?

--was not what the youth had actually asked him.

Malachi blinked.

"I can sit with you while you eat, if you would like," but he did not seem to imply that he would actually be eating anything himself.