[He tries to scoot backwards and away from Stein, but that proves to be difficult when you've practically embedded yourself in the foliage. He settles for shifting slightly and settling himself in as dignified and comfortable a position as possible.]

Nothing exceptional. I've just been working, for the most part.
It's been lonely with Maka away from home for so long.

[And he's just going to avert his eyes ever so slightly and avoid mentioning the other things he's been doing with his time.]

What have you been doing lately?