Right. [He draws in a slightly nervous breath himself, although his outward composure is (otherwise) much the same as usual.]
Well, first off - that, ah, "confession" was a slight misunderstanding... That is to say, it wasn't what I was referring to. In fact, I suppose I was... flirting with you a bit, but I didn't initially think you would end up interpreting it in that way.
[He actually bows his head a bit.] It wasn't dishonest, but I don't suppose it can have been called one hundred percent forthright, either. I'm sorry. [This time, he won't pause for comments.]
Second - well, there is someone else I do care for and have duties towards, though not, that is to say, romantically. [mostly. well it's a tangled (ha ha) mix, but the point is, it's a no-go right now.] But still--she and I are very close, and... ah, I want you to know that I wouldn't want anything about that to change. I couldn't let anything about that change.
[He pauses for a second, and then realizes quickly, so quickly he even stumbles a bit, that he should add--]
W-Which doesn't mean I would do anything to betray you. I wouldn't. Certainly not.
[This is the hard part, though. For him. Maybe one of the other things is a bigger problem for her, but it had just gotten easier for him. He looks up again.]
And third... [He draws a breath.] I can't honestly say I know why you - you like me as much as you said. ["LOVE" love love love geeze--but okay, honesty. Honesty. He can do that...] I don't know if I can promise that I'm... really the person that you might think I am. I'll try, and I think you'd make me better -- you already have, in fact -- but I know you have high standards, and I ... am not the kindest person you could have picked. I think in most cases the ends justify the means. And I wouldn't be this honest with everyone -- only you, really. And I would do whatever it takes to save my world.
[He gazes into her eyes, frowning a bit.] I don't mean to say that you can't leave if you end up feeling that I'm not--good enough, but... well, I suppose I'd rather know now.
That's all. If you can get past that, then... I do like you. And I'd like it if you would say yes.
[Whew. Okay, that's mostly out there. He has little fear of pressuring her into something by saying so, since she wouldn't lie, and it might be better to be clear.]
no subject
Well, first off - that, ah, "confession" was a slight misunderstanding... That is to say, it wasn't what I was referring to. In fact, I suppose I was... flirting with you a bit, but I didn't initially think you would end up interpreting it in that way.
[He actually bows his head a bit.] It wasn't dishonest, but I don't suppose it can have been called one hundred percent forthright, either. I'm sorry. [This time, he won't pause for comments.]
Second - well, there is someone else I do care for and have duties towards, though not, that is to say, romantically. [mostly. well it's a tangled (ha ha) mix, but the point is, it's a no-go right now.] But still--she and I are very close, and... ah, I want you to know that I wouldn't want anything about that to change. I couldn't let anything about that change.
[He pauses for a second, and then realizes quickly, so quickly he even stumbles a bit, that he should add--]
W-Which doesn't mean I would do anything to betray you. I wouldn't. Certainly not.
[This is the hard part, though. For him. Maybe one of the other things is a bigger problem for her, but it had just gotten easier for him. He looks up again.]
And third... [He draws a breath.] I can't honestly say I know why you - you like me as much as you said. ["LOVE" love love love geeze--but okay, honesty. Honesty. He can do that...] I don't know if I can promise that I'm... really the person that you might think I am. I'll try, and I think you'd make me better -- you already have, in fact -- but I know you have high standards, and I ... am not the kindest person you could have picked. I think in most cases the ends justify the means. And I wouldn't be this honest with everyone -- only you, really. And I would do whatever it takes to save my world.
[He gazes into her eyes, frowning a bit.] I don't mean to say that you can't leave if you end up feeling that I'm not--good enough, but... well, I suppose I'd rather know now.
That's all. If you can get past that, then... I do like you. And I'd like it if you would say yes.
[Whew. Okay, that's mostly out there. He has little fear of pressuring her into something by saying so, since she wouldn't lie, and it might be better to be clear.]