A hand moves to rest on the top of her head, his smile softening. Back home, he hadn't had a problem with this sort of thing -- it just hadn't been something he'd been raised with a lot of. Being here, he's become even more comfortable with hugging those he considers friends...And, it likely doesn't help that it produces an unnaturally comforting feeling.

Brow tensing with the smile, he nods to her request. The next words are genuine, as he definitely doesn't want it to happen, again, "...I promise to do my best to not let it happen, again."

Listening to her next words, he gives a soft grin to the mention of practicing with her reading. He's definitely proud of her, for that, as said grin might show, "Hey, good job! And, what'd you talk to Rhea about?"