"I do not quite understand what implications that would have for your emotional state."

"...it's pretty clear you aren't interested and I really don't want to pressure you about it."

...how to phrase this...

"I don't imagine I will feel pressured into anything I don't prefer by you telling me how you feel?"

"...and I'm worried it'd make you uncomfortable and that is both undesirable on its own and also might make you want to be around me less, or hug me less."

Nod.

"My guess is it would not, but you don't have to share if you prefer not to."

"Maybe it would clarify things if I knew why you were asking, like, is it - anthropological fascination with how I can be in love with another girl, or do you feel obliged to keep tabs on whether I'm holding up acceptably, or do you just find it flattering even given that you're not interested, or..."

"I don't want to be the cause of emotional distress... and I suppose I am interested in how you can be in love with a girl, and perhaps I find it flattering though I am not sure if that is virtuous on my part. I am also just generally curious about what you are feeling."

"I don't think it's different from how it would be if one of us were a boy except for how if I let my thought stray in certain directions the anatomy's different. I mean, if one of us were a boy and you still weren't interested, obviously it'd be different if you were interested because it'd be socially legible then. I really really liked it when you hugged me. I think it turns out I also can't smell and that was disappointing to discover because I bet I would've liked how you smell. My room's right next to yours and I'm probably going to be watching your heart beat till I fall asleep. I already said I like your voice. I - this isn't your problem, please please don't do anything you don't want to do trying to make me happy, it'll just make it worse as soon as I guess, but you were curious and -

- I really wish you wanted to kiss me -"

"...is it acceptable if I do things I would be neutral about doing under normal circumstances, but under these circumstances feel positive about as a result of wanting you to be happy?"

"...if they're not competing with things you care about more I think so."

"Mm. I would be disappointed if I didn't get to see that face you made when I hugged you again."

"Whenever you want."

Hug?

Hug!

"I really do enjoy seeing your face after I hug you."

"I'm glad."

"I don't mind knowing about the rest of what you mentioned either."

"Oh good."

"... my curiosity about how you are feeling isn't entirely sated, but it doesn't need to be, I suppose."

"I don't know what else to say. Do you have any more specific questions?"

"You said I'm glad in somewhat of a monotone and it confused me."

"- well, I was glad but also - fighting my greedier impulses? Like, if you were very very hungry, you would be glad if you got a slice of bread, but."

"...were the greedier impulses to hug me more or something else?"

"...more like kissing you. Or - I'm not going to do it but I can - give out artifact effects - I'm so so so not going to do it but it crossed my mind."

"...Ah. Yes, please refrain from doing so."