Marius grins, and leans into the touch when Rat ruffles his hair. He's still rather unused to such a warm gesture at this size; he delights in it for as long as he can. His grin doesn't lessen when Rat tells him to keep eating, either. He understands exactly what he means by it, and he appreciates it. He stuffs more of the food into his mouth, enjoying the taste of it.

"You're a good cook," he tells Rat, mouth still full of food. He can relax around Rat the way he could never relax in his grandfather's home in his childhood.

And yes, he certainly does have other things to worry about; but for now, he's content to eat dinner with Rat.