[ Honestly, the offer is tempting. He's peeked in on Beat's memories before, and what he's seen has made him feel warm in a way he hasn't felt in a long, long time. And that was just the generic stuff, not entirely romantic. He can only imagine...

But then Beat's paws are taking his own, and Josh pauses, fingers stilling under those big, warm pads. And he listens - really listens - to Beat's words of assurance. It's good to know that he has this option, it really is. However... ]

No.

[ It's short and sweet, more used as a means to make Beat stop than anything. Beat may recognize this as... very similar to Composer mode, in a way. All business and no play. ]

I'm not doing this because I don't want it. I'm asking because I'm-- Mm.

[ How to phrase this... ]

... I'm trying to understand how it worked. You've been through this. I haven't. If you know me, you recall my... hesitation, in all of this, don't you? I'm simply trying to find the best way to navigate. What works, what doesn't.

[ He angles his eyes down, at the big paws enclosing his thin fingers, and keeps them there. ]

I don't want you thinking that I'm uninterested. If I was, I wouldn't have let it go as far as it did before you ran away. I know what I want. But I want to make sure that I do this in a way that doesn't make me undermine myself.