[ despite his best attempts to suppress it, he flushes red at the laughter, turning his face away quickly to hide it.

(he'd rather the other laughed than antagonised him but--he's trying his best in a bad situation and he can't ignore that it stings a little) ]

O-of course! It'd take teamwork and effort but people can do anything if they set their minds to it--!

[ (he's starting to actually believe it) ]