The smile faded, voice soft, barely audible at the mention of his best friend. "...oh." A heavy weight of guilt in his heart when he thought about it.

"Years ago." He echoes after her. "Yes, he was my best friend and he regarded me highly." He swallows thickly, feeling slightly tense speaking of him, not wanting to speak of his past.

"I'm glad. And, yes, I need rest. And indeed you are. You should be proud."

A thought, a beat. "I thought you're coming over to check my pulse?" Though he is fine, just feeling dizzy and dry from the heat, but the iced tea helps with that.