"When we met," he begins, thinking through his words as he says them, "You were...a lot to take in. And I was so afraid at the ball, when all of you were...were laughing at me."

That one still stings a bit. He had tried to be brave, and...well. Anyway.

"But then when I came back - you were nothing but giving. Sweet. Sensitive. And...and I've gotten to know you a little more, and you're...you're funny, and smart, patient, and strong, and - and-"

He reddens, going a bit tongue-tied and shrinking into himself a little.