He goes briefly very still, stops petting the cat when he first 'hears' Asmodeus.

He's certainly not short on optimism... It's the only thing he can manage, between a desire to relax further and bask in the warmth and a return of more awareness and caution.

...and the awareness that he misses his father's physical presence, while also very much not wanting it.

Nothing here is simple or clear.

He resumes the petting. "I have not, do not intend to, and will not - thank you." What the actual fuck, though. "It sounds incredibly painful."