[ayato immediately goes for a shrimp, popping it into his mouth with a satisfied hum. he's gone weeks without having thoma's cooking before, but this situation is a bit different, with them having been in completely different worlds for a bit. back home, ayato could always just count on thoma being locatable, whether at the estate, in inazuma, or in ritou. here, he could only hope thoma would find his way back, and luckily, thoma did.

he contemplates over thoma's words as he chews on the next shrimp, slower this time, despite his habit of eating quickly. he wants to give thoma his full attention. and that attention is telling him that thoma deserves anything and anyone. ayato knows, objectively, people are independent creatures and no one "deserves" to have any one person without that person's consent.

but also like. thoma deserves anyone he wants. you feel him??]

I suppose that makes sense. It's better if he has all the context of your time here together before making that decision.

Though anyone who doesn't want to form an emotional bond with you is a fool. [just spittin' facts. ayato won't involve himself in a matter that doesn't involve him at all, despite it involving a loved one, but man he'd be tempted to dispense some Choice Words should this man choose to reject thoma. he won't because he doubts thoma would want him to, but man it'd be tempting.] But you will always have a home with the us, Thoma, no matter the circumstance.