Malcolm shifts over a bit more, to properly straddle his lap and look him directly in the face. Down into his face, as a matter of fact; the only time he gets to view that angle.

"I don't find you difficult," he says with a smile. He gives him a tender kiss. "I think it'd be weird if you didn't harbour the slightest resentment towards a process where people who refer to themselves as literal monsters and have conducted murder sprees - like, multiple each - here on the Barge suddenly graduate just like that. I mean, I think Johann has made a lot of progress since I met him. A lot. But... more than you? I wouldn't think so. But it's hard to say how far along the yardstick anyone is when it's invisible." He tilts his head slightly, considering it. "Do you have suspicions about what you're supposed to do or learn?"