[Clive's response has Joshua feel a small burn of embarrassment in return. He looks down shyly as he tries to reiterate his feelings.]

I know the two of us haven't had the most... conventional upbringing.

[With the strict hating mother, everyone they love dying, being separated for almost their entire adolescence and everything else...]

Yet, compared to you, you are still leagues ahead of me. Everyone here smiles at the very thought of you walking in to charm the room with your stoic expressions.

[He looks up to smile softly again.]

I know it's a trivial matter. Forgive me.