He did finally pick up the rough hewed staff but only to lean it against the bookshelf. Then he stepped forward, swept Bramen into his arms and kissed him deeply.

Not even his father, back when the bastard still cared, had ever given him a staff so special, so crafted with him in mind. No one had ever loved him this much.

"You have no idea what this means to me," he said, his voice soft and full of emotion. "I will never be able to repay you for this. Not if I had a hundred lifetimes. You foolish elf. My amatus. My heart."

He kissed Bramen again because it felt like the only way he could clearly get his feelings across.