[Again, there's a pause: not of hesitation, but contemplation, for there's no point if he doesn't give Astarion a wholly honest answer. But this comes easier, now.]

Then I'll stay.

[He tips his head to one side, his ears twitching upwards as something a little lighter weaves through his tone.]

You'll have to deal with them, not me— and if you hate them, I get to fight them, so. [That rather works out for him.] And you can drink sherry, and I'll have beer, and you'll sing, and dance, and do whatever else a diamond does— and we'll live here.

I like it here. And I would not mind staying, so long as— as you're here too.