He nearly flinched, at the simple touch. Nearly pulled away. For someone who'd been so determined to find Shadowmaru, to speak with him, he suddenly found himself second-guessing everything. Should he even be here --

Then he felt fingers against his face. That alone was enough to make him look up. He tried his best to keep his expression as neutral as he could, but... but someone who knew him as well as Shadowmaru would have no trouble seeing the uncertainty in his face. "Something...? What do you mean... something?"

He hated how hopeless and nearly desperate the words came out. Last time he'd heard something like that from his friend, it had been the energon at work. He knew that. He stared at him. At his optics, looking for any lingering flicker of pink. Did he... really dare hope it were different, this time?

Did he really dare say what everyone seemed to believe he should?

"It was too fast," he agreed, at length. His head lowered again, fists clenched against his knees. "I..."

It couldn't feel any worse. This place couldn't possibly get any worse. His sole optic shuttered, frame tensing.

"I feel something!" he blurted, sharply. "I've felt it since before you were here! Always for you! Every time I thought of you, spoke of you -- I felt something! I... I'm sorry!"

He had no idea why he apologized. Words ran out, and those two seemed all there were to fill the gap.