[ he probably would have felt differently if they hadn't already had that conversation before he saw the memory, but as it is... he doesn't consider the words he heard this week to be inconsistent with the ones he'd heard in that dream before, at least; merlin had said something then too about wondering if he was capable of experiencing certain kinds of "human feelings", though zelkov hadn't realized at the time how literally he'd meant it. ]

No... I believe you mentioned something along those lines before, and I simply did not have the context to comprehend what you meant.

[ so it isn't as if this is something he's just making up now. ]

If it is truly possible for me to help you feel any of what I have described just now... I would very much like to do so.

[ there's a pause, then he extends his hand with a soft smile. ]

I would just ask that you not try to pretend if it turns out that I cannot do for you what you hoped. I much prefer reality to fairy tales, no matter how bitter.