[Oh god why is this happening. Why are girls horrifying. He actually shrinks back a little when she gets closer because this reminds him of a few different times he's found himself cornered (not to mention Rei's taller than he is), but he stands his ground and tilts his chin up to keep their gazes locked.

It's true. It's true that he doesn't have to take the risk and that the blase attitude will absolutely ruin everything, but at the same time...he looks at her hand for a moment before looking up again.]

It's not entirely hypocritical if this is something I signed on to do. You didn't get a choice to become Mars, did you? I did. I chose to protect people and do the things to keep them safe, and that includes things that might scare me. It's...I've put a lot of thought into it. It has to be okay.

[Granted, he doesn't get much further in his line of thought before that bomb's drop and he's left gaping at her, eyebrows lifting in surprise and mouth moving a bit to try and form words. Words. Words are hard. How does...why would...]

...wait, what? But...aren't you...[There are Questions here.] What do you mean? [A bit more tactful than "how" or "why" but it indicates the same thing.]