Ha ha, nnnnno, no no! Tooootally not whatever you're thinking! It ain't like that! Now I know you're definitely playing! Heh . . . !

[He sets his coffee down so he can wave his hand, as if he could literally laugh it off, as in, actually fling something away from himself, that'll be convincing, right? His stomach churns with a complicated mix of horror and excitement. These things he hasn't worked out yet feel like a knot he can't possibly untie, only cut through, but everything he can think of to cut through it is totally inappropriate right now. Not as special a friend as you. Accurate, but is now the time? He's still a little thrown off by the unfortunate urge to kiss her earlier . . .

But it's impossible to react with freaked-out defensiveness when she's being cute, too. Leaning on him. She came to check on him.

Finally he takes a deep breath.]

—Thanks.