*sarcastic smile*
Yes. Yes, he is.
I like the way you've written the story because I feel it reflects the early game atmosphere: criminal activity, poor neighborhood, the necessity of earning respect etc etc. and then there's the contrast with the budding tenderness between you and your partner. By the way, what's his nature? (From the description of his personality I'd think Jolly or Relaxed. But maybe the two are completely unrelated.)