[They are a pair, aren't they. And it is an invitation, made easier because Gregor doesn't have to make it; Miles invites himself, always has.

Apart from the Vorkosigans, there's really no one that casually touches him at all. If he makes friends here, Gregor belatedly realizes, that may well change.

He relaxes enough at the continued contact to let a wry ghost of a smile come through.] You may have something there. I forget that there's such a thing as... halfway. You'd think I was a zoo animal let out of its pen for the first time, the way I'm acting. [He doesn't actually think being Emperor is that dreadful. Anymore. Well, he has a strong desire to do his duty appropriately, anyway, which makes up for it.]