Sam lets out a sharp, surprised ‘oof’ when Kurloz suddenly all but chucks himself back at him, losing his balance a little and automatically dropping one hand down to catch himself, but he’s laughing softly almost before he’s done being surprised.

Goddamn but Sam is pretty much fucked, because he’s pretty damn sure there’s not a lot he wouldn’t do to make this kid happy like that again. And considering the road they’ve got ahead of them? He already knows it’s going to be an uphill battle. And yet he’s resettling himself so he can sling both his arms back around Kurloz anyway, holding him just as tight with a stupid grin on his face.

He still won’t touch any of that about Kurloz or his descendants making his kind, because just because Sam isn’t technically practicing doesn’t mean he isn’t religious, and he’s never going to be able to believe that like Kurloz does. That’s not what matters, anyway, what matters is the way it’s getting to Kurloz.

“I’m not too great at letting people look after me if I’m not looking after them, too,” he replies, huffing a soft laugh at that little headbump.

Goddamn is he screwed.

“You could still look out for the world, you know. We could make our own Avengers. I’ll have a bird as a sidekick and you can get a little goat.”