How can I best say that I care?

Restore the area was putting it lightly, wasn't it? It was practically falling apart at this point. She reached over, taking his hand, still holding her cup but not drinking from it just yet. "Please," she said, looking in to the dark liquid that smelled warm and inviting even though she wouldn't be able to benefit from drinking it. "You've done so much for me already; This will be a small payback for what you've done for me," she insisted. She wasn't taking no for an answer. She doubted that Eden would mind. There was so much room in the mansion that barely got used. "You can have your own room and bathroom too - Even if you wouldn't like to look at me all day every day, you could practically avoid me," she chuckled, though sadly so. She really cared for him. And she hated that she couldn't just be brave like Eden and Romeo was with their affection. But it wasn't in Josette's nature to just hand out everythin, not after what had happened with Lucius. She needed trust and stability.

He asked a question that made her frown. Why wouldn't he avoid her? "I just don't want you to feel obligated to spend time with me," even though sitting here with him, holding his hand, she hadn't ever felt this happy. It was such a simple thing for a vampyre. Most of her kind didn't even doubt to indulge in sex and blood, but to her this gentle touch meant so much. "I like you Aurel, and I don't want you to feel forced to be around me if you don't want me there," maybe she was too kind for her own good. Many had teased her, saying that she wasn't a real vampyre, but she just didn't want to live up to the expectations of her race. "I really like you."

But wouldnt that exactly be what would happen? He wouldnt be obligated to spend time with her but why else would he be there? He would be obligated in some sense. And he didnt mind that! “Josette, I…” he paused with a frown to think. How could he explain this the best way? “I have a lot of work to do. Where I come from.. it was ravaged by war and.. other things. But I have been told that I can make things right.” He spilled, unsure where the sudden need to come clean was from. Maybe because she was so kind. And he did like her. Just didnt know how to properly say that. “I have to focus on that… But I also dont want to let you go.”

Other things? She wasn't sure what to say, just looking down as she felt like she was preparing for him to just outright put her down. She was a silly girl. A silly girl with a vulnerable still bruised heart and she had clung herself to his kindness. But then he said he didn't want to let her go. Carefully she moved her eyes back to him, and in this moment she was almost ready to give him anything; She could hand herself over to him, no questions asked. She was still holding his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze as she hoped it could translate some of the emotions she was having, but perhaps it wouldn't. "Can I kiss you?" consent was very important to her. After what had happened with Lucius she never wanted to simulate that ever again. "On your lips ... Not just the cheek?" Had she ever been so scared and yet so hopeful at the same time? He was good to her, treated her well, and all she wanted was just a few seconds of his time.