[ to billy's credit, she certainly does listen. raptly, too. even though it's nothing she hasn't exactly pieced together before...at least when it comes to the early days of their relationship. kate might not have been there to witness those strides, but years befriending the both of them had filled in a great many of those details.

but that's just it, isn't it? kate likes her friends to stay friends. having learned to cherish them so deeply, the thought of risking friendship by chasing something more is one of the few streaks of cowardice she's willing to show. conversely, jumping into a one night stand or a fling...? so much less terrifying.

kate scrubs her fingertips through her hair. frustrated, yes, but not unhappy. ]

I'm not sure I do. [ want it more. ] Not yet. Maybe I could, though...

[ still. isn't a bit irresponsible? she bites her bottom lip. ] Is it terrible of me to want to just shelve the question for now and maybe ask it again in, like, a few months?

[ translation: i'm not ready. ]