"Not getting rid of me that easy, Soldat." It's the closest she can possibly come to a joke, here. She's not smiling, but it's there in spirit. "Or discouraged. You're stuck with me fussing and loving you pretty much forever." Stroke shifts briefly to ruffle, careful not to muss his hair, but something a little lively and affectionate to counteract all the deserved sulking.

"So, deep breath, and try to relax however much you can. Let yourself be what you need to be, and worry about nonsense like worthiness and gratitude later."