Ivan isn't sure if the "let's just see what happens" approach is really a good idea, but if his father wants to go with that, they will have to go with that. It's not up to him, he assumes.

He looks up fromt he soup at the contact and relaxes a bit further. His mother used to do that, too, run her fingers through his hair... so it carries positive feelings and memories and makes him feel at ease. "Is there more soup?" He's still a bit hungry, but if there isn't more, he won't complain and demand more. Going to bed just sounds heavenly now.