He doesn't always have the chance to be physically affectionate, because he's not really close to anyone, and it's clear from the warm, completely unabashed way he gives it to Ned that he's more than happy to provide it here. If it's meant to be embarrassing, somehow, the way Ned's clinging to his shirt, it doesn't occur to him. No, he's just happy that Ned feels comfortable enough with him to stay close, to not scoot away or completely shut down the conversation. It's always a balancing act, trying to talk about this kind of thing without pushing someone too far, and he's never been too great at erring on the side of caution. He's almost surprised to find that Ned seems to be taking the comfort so well, because he's still questioning whether he's doing it right or very, very wrong.
"It makes sense to me. That you don't hate him. I mean, it's hard to hate somebody when there's no..." He frowns, pulling Ned a little closer, trying to think of a word. He's still inclined to characterize Ned's father as an asshole, but knowing that Ned misses him makes him all the more likely to recognize that he has to tread carefully in doing so. If Ned hated the man, that would be one thing, and they could rail against him together, but that's obviously not what's going on here. This is even more complex. He bites his lip thoughtfully.
"I'm not sure if you've ever talked to a psychoanalyst, but believe me, I have, and I think a whole lot of it is total bullshit, or blatantly obvious drivel that you end up paying way too much for, but I mean, they talk about closure a lot, and I guess some of that makes sense. Of course you're going to miss someone you never had any real 'closure' with, whatever the hell that means. I don't know, honestly, I'm not good at this kind of thing, and your ominous warning that there's other stuff is more applicable to me, too, than you can possibly guess, but hey, I don't think you're crazy for any of the way you feel. Although that's coming from a kind of crazy guy, so I'm not sure whether you should take that as being particularly reassuring."
Yeah, maybe he just shouldn't try talking, and should stick to the physical affection. That might be better.
no subject
"It makes sense to me. That you don't hate him. I mean, it's hard to hate somebody when there's no..." He frowns, pulling Ned a little closer, trying to think of a word. He's still inclined to characterize Ned's father as an asshole, but knowing that Ned misses him makes him all the more likely to recognize that he has to tread carefully in doing so. If Ned hated the man, that would be one thing, and they could rail against him together, but that's obviously not what's going on here. This is even more complex. He bites his lip thoughtfully.
"I'm not sure if you've ever talked to a psychoanalyst, but believe me, I have, and I think a whole lot of it is total bullshit, or blatantly obvious drivel that you end up paying way too much for, but I mean, they talk about closure a lot, and I guess some of that makes sense. Of course you're going to miss someone you never had any real 'closure' with, whatever the hell that means. I don't know, honestly, I'm not good at this kind of thing, and your ominous warning that there's other stuff is more applicable to me, too, than you can possibly guess, but hey, I don't think you're crazy for any of the way you feel. Although that's coming from a kind of crazy guy, so I'm not sure whether you should take that as being particularly reassuring."
Yeah, maybe he just shouldn't try talking, and should stick to the physical affection. That might be better.