He closed his eyes and let their lips linger on one another. Well. This was what he'd asked for, wasn't it? There were no cupid bots around. Months too early for those. And the mistletoe overhead had already been rendered null and void. And yet, here they were, kissing.

How could he feel so great about that and so dour at the same time? It was like his heart had taken wing, sung a single joyous note and then gone ahead and rammed itself headfirst into a window.

When she drew back, he opened his eyes and looked at her.

"I'm sorry too, Blaze. I very much am."

Though....

"...no matter what might be between us, we ought to at least promise to remain friends. Because matters of the heart aside, I meant what I said. My life is vastly better for your presence in it. I'd not want to lose that."