Mako sighs, just a little bit, because even though he’s not exactly saying it in the best way possible, she knows what it is he’s trying to convey.

“It’s okay.” She shifts a little, wriggling in his arms so that she can prop up on her elbow and look at his face, one finger tracing a line from his ear to his chin and back again.

“I understand.” And she does, now. Whereas before, yes – she’d thought he was ashamed, now it…makes a little more sense. And he’s right, unfortunately. She’s in her mid twenties and he’s double her age – it is logical, yes. She hates it.

“And…you aren’t so bad at talking.” Not anymore. Admittedly he isn’t the best, but…they’re getting there.