He hears the pen scratching - could be it's just them working on the letter, but it sounds a little to the left so he doubts it. He's going to have to pull his hands away sooner or later, so Lemm sharply reminds himself he's too old to be acting like a skittish teenager and emerges with a sigh.

It is good to know they're not insulted, but...

"No, no." Insistently Lemm waves this off. A beat, then he folds his arms tightly tucked against his front, and in a more candid way than he'd like: "Not used to it, I take a plain insult much better than I do teasing. Doesn't mean I... Doesn't mean a thing. S'fine."

Another little handwave. He would love to move on from this, but this obstacle has to be cleared, first. What if they never try that again?

"...Could get used to it, if it's well-meant."