[ Too much for one person, he says. He's probably right; Kida wouldn't know, nothing in her life has ever been close to this. But she feels like she's lived too long to buckle under strain now.

Still.

She reaches up, cups his face in one hand. The pad of her thumb presses along the line of his cheekbone. Her expression is cautious, hopeful, gentle. ]

I wish I could--

[ She could, her mind supplies. If he wanted it, but he said he didn't--and she's in no place to think of--he'd look nice in robes, blue on red--could she, really?

No. ]

I wish I could offer you more than just this.

[ Nestled against him, it's clear what she means. Her hand trails from his face to his shoulder, sliding down his arm. ]

Unless you wish to court me, I--I cannot entertain a suitor, Hellboy.

[ She has responsibilities, and at least she knows that he of all people is best-placed to understand them. Still, she braces herself for his disappointment. She tells herself it's her own fault for not being clearer with him before, but--she'd been so wretchedly lonely, and given in to the need for companionship before she'd thought to be certain she could even meet his needs. ]