[ He does look. And while there's a tickle in his throat to speak of how adorable it is, the question he asks takes precedence. ]

Lotuses, [ he repeats, tucking away the piece of information mentally. ] They would make for a beautiful boquet.

[ Which probably gives what he is intending away, but-That's fine. It wasn't anything he was going to try and actively hide.
She asks her own question in kind and he has to take a moment himself to think about it. While he means to say that he doesn't particularly care how she wears her hair, what comes out instead is a fairly truthful- ]

I prefer it longer. I think you look softer but it still doesn't take away from your strength.