[He peers at Maxim for a moment, trying to process what he's saying as he's manoeuvred into a hug.]

Are you sure you're not speaking colloquially? That does sound like it might be a colloquialism. Or maybe a simile. But either way, it does sound very nice, so thank-you again. And I wouldn't want you to leave either. It has been a while since we've all really seen each other.

[He then looks up, peering at Gamzee in a half-inquisitive, half-dismayed manner.]

Although to be fair, Gamzee, that was under very different circumstances.