"Ouch. That's just uncalled for," Brennan counters with mock wounded dignity that lasts for all of three seconds before fading back into warm fondness once more. He hesitates, studying his lover for a long moment before reaching out and drawing him close. He knows logically that a hug's probably not going to fix anything, but Dorian still looked like he needed one. And he'd missed him. And Brennan never really required a reasoning for an embrace with the mage anyway, just finding comfort in drawing him close and wrapping himself around the other man, when Dorian allowed it.

He brushes his cheek lightly against Dorian's, exhaling softly, one hand stroking along the mage's spine as he wished there was something more he could do than just this. Some way he could keep his lover safe and protected - from anything that would hurt him. Not just physically - Dorian's defenses were already best against that, but these wounds were something different and far deeper.

"I love you," he finally states softly, seriously. For now, it's what he can do.