"Putting up with you." [Caterina shakes her head and meets his gaze again with a gentle smile. It doesn't compare to what Alec would receive, but that doesn't make it any less kind.]

You really are a silly man. If you're not careful, someone will end up believing that talk someday and think of you as a burden. Fortunately, I am not one of them. It's not nearly as dramatic as the promise I shared with Abel, but I accept. Let's stay together and help each other along for as long as we can.