[ Her excitement is contagious, like always. It changes the tenor of Mao's own nervousness, at least, from uncertain to very, very sure. It's almost like they're making plans for the future together, which is an incredible feeling, but he wants to make sure if they're going to do that, it's done with the air clear.

So he takes Anya's hands in his again and squares his shoulders. He can do this. It's Anya. She's the least scary person in the world. ]

If we're going to to do that, though, then... I want to tell you something first, Anya. Because I realized something while you were gone, and it's that if you asked me for something else even after this, anything else, I'd do it. Because... I like you. I like you.