Herc feels guilt and regret shoot through him in a painful pang, his stomach tight. He's glad he's got her basically tucked under his chin so she can't see the wounded expression on his face.

"I'm sorry," he replies quietly, half a whisper in the darkness.

"I don't ever want you to think I'm ashamed of you. And I do want to marry you, and I would have asked, just... I hadn't planned on it being so soon."