Oh, Maker--whose turn is it to leave his crush speechless? Though Myr's expression is brimming over with what did I do to deserve you? to the point saying the words is wholly unnecessary. And that's before they've Bonded...

He clears his throat against how it's apt to close with tears he can't shed any longer. "Then let's drink to that, and not being parted so long ever again, can we but manage."

Here's the part he'd been so fearful of and yet somehow, right now, Bonding doesn't seem so terrible. If they do it quickly amd he doesn't lose his nerve thinking of how it would feel to lose Everett's esteem. (But so long as he'll have me I'll do whatever's in my power for him, and even once he won't, I would...) "You first," said warmly--and wryly, "age before beauty, and all."