"I think - ... I think I love you."
there’s a moment, however brief, that a flicker of SADNESS flashes in his eyes, before inevitably being wiped away by his usual calm, inscrutable expression.
‘ ... I SEE. ’ he begins, voice halting, hesitant. he takes a breath - a pause to collect his thoughts - before he speaks again. ‘ while i appreciate your honesty, you must know ... that i cannot accept your feelings. ’
brows crease slightly, another crack in the mask, as he turns to look her in the eye, lips raised into the barest smile.
‘ but ... that does not mean we cannot be FRIENDS, yes ? we may not be able to be lovers, but ... i promise you, should you like, you may rely on me in any way that you can. i will treat your problems as if they were my own. that ... is the least that i can offer you. ’