( she can't help noticing the flush of color to his cheeks and the small, barely visible, curl of his lips. it makes her break out in a smile of her own, warm and wide with the smallest nod of her head.

his words weren't wrong, she shouldn't hold herself back but— )

... Would that be okay with you? You've always helped me whenever I needed it. ( her gaze flickers downwards, look thoughtful. ) But I don't want you to have to force yourself to help me now.