"God only knows why," he replied, with a weak laugh, looking up at last. "But I'm more grateful for that than ... than I can say."

He could still change his mind and leave, he thinks. It just needs a moment to sink in...

"Otto ... can I ..." He swallows, fights both that train of thought and the urge to not ask for what he needs, to think he doesn't deserve it. "... can I stay?"