[--he breaks into laughter again. It's not meant to be mean, it's just that Ryou sounds so miserable, about coughing up a shoe--! And being dirty!

Very fondly:]

You're really messy....

[It's the clear affection in his tone that keeps this from being a neg.]

Luckily, you're a good hunter, so that guy didn't get far. Come on, let's get you home and cleaned up. I'll help!

[He puts a hand on Ryou's big wolfish shoulders to guide him back toward the 38-8.]

That guy definitely never imagined his shoes' ultimate destiny would be something like this...

[They were nice shoes, once.]