"Hiiii!"

He smiles at you, his mouth stretching just a little bit wider than is strictly possible, before reaching forward delicately with one hand. When his fingers rest on your shoulder, his eyes widen with barely contained joy.

"You're real."

For a few seconds, his body quivers with emotion before he breaks out laughing in glee, tears streaming down his face. Then, as suddenly as he started, he stops, his smile reduced to a restrained grin.

"It's lovely to see you again."