[The tea is accepted, hands folding around the mug. The heat is comforting, radiating through her palms and up her wrists. It doesn't bother her any — more than anything, she's pleased to see the cup that she'd purchased him up close once more. It's a comfort, knowing that her gift has found such good use. The fact that they both get to share in that use is made all the better.

But she can't reflect on the cup forever. Eventually, she has to lift her head and consider the conversation at hand. He calls all the developments a good thing, and that gives her hope. It also makes her all the more nervous. The last thing she wants is to have those hopes dashed. In the end, it would be better that it happened now, rather than later, though. That's what drives her forward.]

I thought so too. But the thing is... [She looks down at the dark liquid in her cup.] Some of those things have been rather intimate, haven't they?

[The kiss they shared. The name he gave her. The gifts exchanged and even now, his openness to her presence.]

I just want to be sure we're on the same page. That I'm not - reading too much into anything. And if I am, then that's okay! I can pull back, just...

[It all feels very childish, suddenly. She'd be better handing him a note and asking him to check yes or no to the question "Do you like me?" Her head turns away, the humiliation growing by the second. It threatens to clamp down her throat and keep her from speaking.]

I need to know where we stand, is all. Because if I - like you more than you like me, then that isn't good, right?