[ He grinned broadly. ] Not sure if I’d call it formal, but you absolutely have permission to step on me whenever the thought occurs.

You can even rough me up a little, I like a good fight.

[ The gentle caress through her hair maybe off set that statement a bit. Or perhaps it strengthened it. He’d known her for what, two days? Three? And he was already willing to risk his life for her. A little rough housing was nothing, compared. ]