[We should play, would be Matthias' next suggestion, only--
He's finished winding the scarf about himself, but he reaches compulsively to tug at one of the ends, just for something to do with at least one of his hands. And to his credit, he only drops his gaze for a moment. Gives himself some space. The edge of the blanket is there, the rest of it gathered around Laura's shoulders. The trim is fringed. Perfect for fidgeting with.]
Well--I like you.
[There. He said it. He looks up at Laura quickly, to give that statement extra credence and weight.]
I do. Like--we're friends, and all, but you're also-- [Bravely, Matthias loosens his hand from its grip on the scarf, and gives it a wave, a gesture that tries to get at what he might mean.] --brilliant. I-- fancy you, I s'ppose. A little. Or, [his ears are red, he can feel it, heat like a fever that spreads down into his face, and his neck,] a lot. If that's-- all right.
[Shit. Quickly, then, before she can say anything--] I don't want it to be weird. I mean, no matter what else, I'm, y'know, your friend, and all. And I want to keep being your friend. So it's not like it has to go anywhere, what I just said, or even--like, if I wait, it'll not be as bad. Or it will go away. A bit. Or entirely. Or--if it's better, you could just forget I said it at all.
no subject
He's finished winding the scarf about himself, but he reaches compulsively to tug at one of the ends, just for something to do with at least one of his hands. And to his credit, he only drops his gaze for a moment. Gives himself some space. The edge of the blanket is there, the rest of it gathered around Laura's shoulders. The trim is fringed. Perfect for fidgeting with.]
Well--I like you.
[There. He said it. He looks up at Laura quickly, to give that statement extra credence and weight.]
I do. Like--we're friends, and all, but you're also-- [Bravely, Matthias loosens his hand from its grip on the scarf, and gives it a wave, a gesture that tries to get at what he might mean.] --brilliant. I-- fancy you, I s'ppose. A little. Or, [his ears are red, he can feel it, heat like a fever that spreads down into his face, and his neck,] a lot. If that's-- all right.
[Shit. Quickly, then, before she can say anything--] I don't want it to be weird. I mean, no matter what else, I'm, y'know, your friend, and all. And I want to keep being your friend. So it's not like it has to go anywhere, what I just said, or even--like, if I wait, it'll not be as bad. Or it will go away. A bit. Or entirely. Or--if it's better, you could just forget I said it at all.