( his hands come up to try and hold off... or reassure... or something? he doesn't know, looking more than mildly panicked himself, heart beating too fast because he's equal parts sure he screwed that up royally and ah, well.

she's hiding. in the hoodie he gave her.

yeah, he screwed up. though in this he's not apologetic: he's being overblunt because he needs to be that blunt. it's almost amusing this is what it takes to embarrass her, except he's embarrassed too. he isn't going to walk away, not until he hears her out, but...

... wait. what? his voice comes out slightly higher than he likes. )

I'll say let's give this a try, and don't tell me later on I didn't warn you up front.

( he pauses, shoulders hunching. this has nothing to do with confessions or any of the rest. this is just because he needs more reassurance and less of the emotionally fraught confusion. his voice drops down lower, softer. this is a different kind of admittance. )

And ask for another hug.