It is ironic that the person who would consistently balk at physical touch would have to be the one torn away. Emet-Selch stands back without protest, even as his fingers curl around his friend's hand.

Even so, The happiness that Hythlodaeus shows is not reflected in his own face. The corner of his mouth does tug back into a smile when asked, but the rest of his features are weighted down with the sorrow of all the years between. "I'm afraid the type of smile that you seek has fallen out of practice as millennia have passed by." He responds ruefully. "Perhaps in the future, I can find something of the quality you seek. Not today, I'm afraid."

Just as his friend knew of his happiness all those years ago when there was a frown on his face, surely he could understand the happiness today even if he could not muster a true smile.