[ Zechs, normally so entirely coordinated, even graceful, and aware of himself and his movements at all times - nearly trips from the brief contact and the statement. ]

[ Of course, he can only be honest. ]

Mockery is the only explanation I can think of - why would you say that. [ This is worse than anything so far. Especially; ] This is mortifying, I am acting like - some blushing cadet, merely because you implied you’d return a fraction of my interest.

[ Of course, if it was as simple as Zechs wanting Treize to look at him with carnal interest - he would’ve simply said so before. But the truth instead wasn’t one he understood, since he both couldn’t put to words or even conceptualize what he wanted. ]