[The shake of his head comes quickly, one shoulder lifting in a half-hearted shrug. Despite the continued closeness, he tries very hard, now, to rein in some of his wayward emotions; get himself back to his customary steadiness.]

It is what it is. [His smile is tired, and the exact pattern of exhaustion seems well-worn upon his face.] In all honesty, even from what little I saw of him, he seemed to be doing better here than I ever knew him to be. If we have to-- get to know one another, again, there are worse circumstances for us to find ourselves in.

[Assuming, of course, that Horatio would still want to get to know him here, once the shock of meeting him had worn off. There hardly seems a need, when he considers William a stranger & not even a commanding officer-- And besides. Archie's here.]

He-- mentioned that you'd also only just arrived?