...I don't know if I could put into words how I feel. It's true that he's one of my best friends, and I've always enjoyed spending time with him. And these past few weeks where we haven't spoken much have been... difficult. It just doesn't feel right if I go more than a few days without seeing him...

[He closes his eyes and brings a hand to his chest. How does he feel...]

I feel... like I can really be myself around him. He never knew me as "Fon Master Ion"... I've always just been Ion. And when I'm with him, I feel like it's okay to want that. To want the life I have here. [To really want it, rather than simply accept that he's here and he's still alive. Ion may be better off than he used to be, but there's still always been a part of him that wondered about his life and purpose here in Luceti. Most of the people only saw Luceti as a temporary place, and waited for the day they would go to their real home. Kohan was one of the few people he knew who truly didn't want to go home.]

...and when he was walking me home, after what happened at the restaurant... even though there were no mistletoe around, I asked him to kiss me. I know I wasn't quite myself at the time, but... even now, thinking back, I... I wanted him to kiss me. I've... never really felt that way about anyone before. [After all, even with Anise, his feelings for her had always been for more emotional than physical. And admitting even just that much is enough to make his face go red again as he turns away.]

Hearing it out loud... I wonder if I'm not just in denial right now.