[ The words take a second or two to set in and he's staring at the pistol in his hand before Lovino's cheeks color with a bit of a blush. He's wanted his captain to acknowledge him and give him his very own pistol for ages now and he's finally gotten it in such a strange, unusual way.

Not that he'd complain about having it though. ]

I... T-Thank you, Anto-- I mean... Captain.

[ Lovino may be essentially a foul-mouthed brat most of the time but goddamn it he had manners when he wanted to. Also relieved that he doesn't have to worry about impressing him anymore - despite a part of him wanted to so he could hear him SAY it.

Then there were those last words, bringing in a mix of anger again but also a strange pang of pride as he rarely got to hear that he'd actually made him proud. ]

...A-About damn time you said it. I've been with the crew for ages s-so of course I would have improved since then, damn it.

[ That and he won't admit he's actually a bit happy now, all things said and done, really. ]