Bard just snorted softly in response, an undignified response but the other's antics were amusing in a way that stunned him to a loss for words. He enjoyed how open the other was being with touch and it..while it crossed that line that had always been there between them, he didn't mind. It was the nature of the drift and, well, perhaps there was something more to it as well though Bard had yet to really be able to grasp it.

His gaze shifted to the other when he spoke again and the weight of those words struck something inside him. He knew that Thranduil was right, that he did need to stop being so foolhardy in the way he acted and rash in his decision making but it was hard to let go of those impulses when he wanted nothing more than to protect those he cared for.

But if he died, he wouldn't be able to protect them, now would he?

The dark haired man is pulled from those thoughts when the blonde toes that line again and the surprise flickers over his expression once more before a huff of a laugh escapes him.

"A drink does sound rather amazing right now," Bard murmured and shifted to rise from where he had been seated, squeezing the other's hand before slowly letting go so he could stand all the way. "And I may be just a little interested to see how much it takes to loosen you up, my dear co-pilot~" he added in a tease, grin soft and playful as he motioned for the other to lead the way.