Devero bobs his head, hesitating for a moment more before deciding to just lay it out with his usual forthrightness:

"You and Koumyou decided to be family, and that alone would be enough for me to want to look after you, but I think I-- I mean, I want you to know I--"

(Forthright, but not terribly eloquent.)

He recollects himself and tries again. "You're important to me, Buttercup. I was wondering if you'd like to have me as a dad as well?"