He flinched away from the contact, wings flaring in surprise, which knocked into the wall and sent a twinge of pain down into his back. He barely felt it, too busy trying to calm his heart, which now beat out a rhythm behind his ribs like a trapped bird. He choked out a strained attempt at a chuckle, trying to play off the overreaction. A pointless attempt, probably, but he tried all the same. His feathers and skin tingled. "Sorry-" He took a half step away from her, not nearly as subtly as he'd have preferred.

"Sorry. Caught me by surprise there." Another slightly less strained chuckle.